Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. earned a $740,000 bonus as part of the NFL’s performance-based pay distributions, the league announced on Monday.
Moore, who has been the Steelers starting left tackle since his rookie year in 2021, is entering the final season of his contract. The Steelers have committed to moving 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones to left tackle eventually, but after Moore held him off in training camp in 2023, and the Steelers released Chuks Okorafor as the top backup at right tackle, their near future at left tackle still seems uncertain.
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes Moore might not even be on the Steelers’ roster next season if they get an elite tackle in the draft.
“They had to start him as a rookie. He wasn’t very good, got a little bit better each and every year, but he’s still not a guy that I want as my blindside protector,” Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan. “I think he’s a guy who has the respect of Mike Tomlin and Pat Meyer. I think he’s worked hard to achieve that. But he’s certainly a guy who could be over-recruited, and he’s a guy who could potentially not be on this roster in 2024 if things break a certain way with the draft and how these guys come along.”
Moore allowed eight sacks last season, which was tied for eighth-most in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Moore’s PFF pass-blocking grade was 39.7, which ranked as the sixth-lowest in the league.
“I don’t want to disrespect Dan,” Fittipaldo said. “I think he’s worked hard, and he’s gotten better, but he’s definitely someone that they can move on from and improve at that position if they have a chance to, for sure.”
The Steelers have been heavily linked to Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims in mock drafts. If the Steelers pair Mims with fellow Georgia Bulldog Broderick Jones, Moore’s tenure in Pittsburgh very well could come to an end.