REPORT - Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. Switches Positions During OTA Practice On Thursday

When the Pittsburgh Steelers made the jump and traded up for Broderick Jones during the 2023 NFL Draft, many people believed that it was the end of Dan Moore Jr.'s time as a starter in Pittsburgh, but that may not be the case. Recently reports came out that Moore decided to make the switch from left tackle to the right side of things. This could very well open up a position battle between Moore and Chukwuma Okorafor for the starting right tackle job.

Steelers Had No Influence In This

Originally during the move from Moore, he was noted saying that he made the move to the right side on his own and that the Steelers had no influence in this. His intentions for the change were made so that he can potentially crack the starting lineup due to the drafting of Jones. This initiative from Moore could be what gets him his chance.

“I have started [working at RT] on my own,” Moore said when speaking to the media. “Nobody asked me to do anything personally. That’s just something I did.”

Becoming the starting right tackle will not be easy for Moore. Okorafor has been with the team since 2018 which gives him three extra years of experience compared to Moore. Okorafor has also been the team's starting right tackle in recent years and appeared in 17 games last season. Moore is no slouch for playing for the Steelers though. He was the team's starting left tackle the past two seasons. With both being former starters on the team, it was only a matter of time before a competition broke out.

During day six of OTA's, the Steelers finally gave Moore the chance to prove himself with him playing as the starting right tackle. This occurred when Jones would move into the starting left tackle position. With Moore officially getting reps on the right side of the ball, it looks like his determination could pay off. 

It is also worth mentioning that Moore is also only 24 years old. Making the switch at a young age could be the best thing for his career because once you play on one side of the ball for a long time, it is hard to switch from side to side. For Moore, it is probably uncomfortable to be playing on the right side of things at the moment, but if he wants to make the starting lineup, I fear this is the only way possible.

This year's team should make fans very excited. Between veteran leadership, to the young guns on this team, the Steelers are sure to have a breakout season. The position group that I am most excited about will be the offensive line. With many additions to the squad, they can be as elite as they once were. Having a position battle to can be a good thing. 

When Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky were battling it out last season for the QB1 position, I think it helped mold Pickett into what he is now. Giving Pickett competition with a veteran like Trubisky made him grow up a lot quicker than most rookies. You look at where they are today, Trubisky has taken on the role of being a mentor for Pickett, and the two work well together. This could be something that we see with Moore and Okorafor. The Steelers could use the two of them to build off of each other and make this offensive line truly elite.

So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you think that Moore could take the starting right tackle spot? Let me know in the comments below!

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