A Surprising Turnaround

In his fourth NFL season, Dan Moore has emerged as a standout player on the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line, but his rise to prominence presents the team with an unexpected challenge. Initially thrust into a starting role as a rookie, Moore—a fourth-round draft pick—has improved over the years, transforming from an average player into one of the team’s most reliable linemen this season. Despite the Steelers’ efforts to replace him, Moore has held onto his position and is now complicating the team’s future plans.

Steelers’ Strategy for Replacing Moore

The Steelers made significant moves in the offseason to address their offensive tackle situation, trading up for Broderick Jones in hopes he would become the franchise left tackle. Jones has mostly played on the right side, leaving Moore’s spot intact. Pittsburgh also selected Troy Fautanu in the first round, a player viewed as a right tackle, though an injury has sidelined him for much of the season.

Despite these additions, Moore has not only retained his starting role but has elevated his game in a major way. Through the first four games of the season, Moore has arguably been the best tackle on the team and has given fans little reason to criticize him. His performance has been a pleasant surprise, but it also creates a dilemma for the Steelers.

Moore’s Performance Raises Questions

The Steelers’ problem is not Moore’s current performance but what it means for the team’s future. Moore is in the final year of his rookie deal, and Pittsburgh will have to make a tough decision on whether to extend him. Jones, while promising, has shown inconsistencies and has been prone to mental errors, raising concerns about whether he can step up as the future left tackle. Fautanu, while talented, has yet to prove himself due to injury.

If Moore continues to play at a high level, the Steelers will have to decide whether to let him walk or pay him a new contract—both risky options. Allowing him to leave could be costly, especially considering Jones’ slow progress. On the other hand, signing Moore to a lucrative deal puts pressure on the team’s overall investment in the tackle position, potentially leading to a logjam.

The Cost of Keeping Moore

Signing Moore won’t come cheap. The NFL market for offensive tackles is highly competitive, with even mid-tier players earning significant contracts. Moore’s breakout season could drive up his value, and the Steelers may be looking at a contract in the range of $8 to $12 million per year, if not more.

Letting Moore walk, however, would leave the Steelers with an unproven Jones and an injured Fautanu heading into the next season. Moore’s emergence has, in many ways, been a saving grace for Pittsburgh this year, but the long-term outlook remains uncertain.

A Difficult Decision Ahead

As the season progresses, Moore’s performance will continue to be closely monitored. If Jones fails to develop and Moore remains consistent, the Steelers will face a major conundrum. The resources invested in improving the offensive line complicate the decision to either commit to Moore or move forward with their younger tackles. Either way, Pittsburgh’s handling of this situation will likely have ripple effects across the team’s roster and salary cap for seasons to come.

The Steelers must weigh the immediate success Moore brings against the uncertainty of future talent, a challenge that could define their upcoming offseason.