Steelers' Dan Moore Jr Says 2023 Training Camp Battle With Broderick Jones "Doesn't Change Much"

The Pittsburgh Steelers reported to training camp at Saint Vincent College on Wednesday, where they will spend the next three-and-a-half weeks finding their identity as a team as they have added many new pieces since the conclusion of the 2022 NFL season. One of the highlights from training camp every year is the different position battles that take place across the roster. One of the most anticipated position competitions will take place at left tackle, where the Steelers have both Dan Moore Jr. and rookie, Broderick Jones fighting to earn snaps with the first-team. 

Moore Jr. was drafted by the Steelers' in 2021 in the fourth round, and has been a consistent starter at left tackle for the team. He has started 33 games protecting the blind side of the quarterback and was named the starter at the beginning of his rookie season. 

Head Coach, Mike Tomlin said in his press conference on Wednesday that Moore Jr. will be taking all of the first-team snaps at left tackle to begin training camp. Moore Jr. is expected to have to battle with Jones, who was the Steelers' top pick that they traded up for to get in the 2023 draft. 

It is no doubt that the team expects its' first-round pick to be the starting left tackle for the Steelers for years to come, but first Jones will have to "earn it" as General Manager, Omar Khan said in his press conference on Thursday. This will be a tough task for Jones to accomplish, as Moore Jr. was labeled a "winner" of Steelers' Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and has reportedly shown great improvement since last season. 

With a promising young rookie chomping at the bit to take his spot, some might think Moore Jr. is feeling pressure to improve. However, Moore Jr. told reporters in a pre-practice scrum on Thursday that he doesn't think the competition changes much.

"If I need another guy to push me to take my game to the next level, I feel like I shouldn't even be here."

Ever since the organization decided to trade up to select Jones, it would have been easy for Moore Jr. to hang his head, be a bad teammate or even accept defeat. He has been the complete opposite. He has handled the situation with nothing but poise which is displayed in how he responds to questions from the media regarding the position battle. Most believe the coaching staff is hopeful that Moore Jr. is able to hold on to his starting spot during training camp, so the team can give Jones more time to develop. 

Starting Moore Jr. Early In The Season Will Benefit The Steelers

From an offensive line standpoint, the Steelers have an extremely difficult start to the season which is why it would be beneficial for the team to start Moore Jr. over Jones to begin the campaign. 

The team opens up the year at home against the San Francisco 49ers, a team that features one of the best defensive lines in the NFL headlined by reigning AP Defensive Player Of The Year, Nick Bosa. The Week 2 matchup for the Steelers is their AFC North foe, the Cleveland Browns. They have one of the best defensive ends in the league in Myles Garrett. The Steelers then have to travel to play the Las Vegas Raiders and Pro-Bowl defensive end, Maxx Crosby. 

In just the first three weeks of the upcoming season, the Steelers'will have to play three of the best pass rushers in the NFL. This could be detrimental for Jones if he somehow earns the starting job during camp, as it could hurt his confidence at the beginning of his career. 

Moore Jr. has played against the best the NFL has to offer for two seasons now, so it's easy to see why he would be better suited to start the season off as the team's left tackle. Starting Moore Jr. against these elite pass rushers will also show the Steelers' coaching staff just how much he has improved throughout the 2023 off-season. 

What do you think about Moore Jr.'s comments regarding the battle at left tackle SteelerNation? Let us know in the comments below! 

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