Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. Reveals Exactly Why He Is Unable To Play Right Tackle

The Pittsburgh Steelers have tried to find a replacement for Dan Moore Jr. over the last two drafts. Despite that, Moore has retained his spot as the starting left tackle, and it is expected that he will continue to keep that role, especially with Troy Fautanu's injury. The Steelers have previously exclaimed that Broderick Jones will eventually play his natural position at left tackle, but who knows if that happens sooner or later. The Steelers would love to move Jones over to the blind side now, but Moore's lack of versatility won't allow that to happen.

Insider Mark Kaboly recently spoke with Moore about everything that he has dealt with over his career, including his inability to switch sides on the line. Moore broke down why he can only play on the left side.

“At tackle, when you are pushing off your push leg, it’s completely different when you are pushing off your kick leg when you are going to the other side. My right leg is just naturally stronger because I have so many more reps pushing off that leg. My left hip is a lot longer than my right hip because my left hip always turns when I am pushing guys out. When I am on the right side, my outside leg is shortened, so my edge is shorter, my kick is shorter, and it’s hard for me to push off. A lot of things go into it, not to mention hands, and your hands and feet matchup.”

As many coaches have said, the way you fix those issues and get better is to practice. Moore has barely taken any reps in practice or in a game since his freshman year of college on the right side, so his body has adapted to playing on the left side. He is used to pushing off on the same leg and turning the same way on every snap. He has yet to get enough practice in on right tackle, and playing that position is a foreign concept to him. 

Moore's lack of versatility has forced Jones to become more versatile. He came out of college as a left tackle, but if he wanted any reps, he had to be the one to learn how to push off with the opposite leg. All but one of Jones' starts in 2023 were at right tackle. Ironically, his first start, as well as his first game the week before, were on the left side due to an injury that Moore sustained. 

Steelers Have Excused Moore For Unwillingness To Practice New Side

In 2023, the Steelers decided that Jones should be left on the bench to begin the season. Even after having a good start at left tackle, as well as a bye week to get more work in with the first-team offense, the Steelers opted to keep him on the bench. When Jones finally got his chance to play again, it had nothing to do with him being better than the other tackles. While there are conflicting reports on exactly what was said, it is known that Chukwuma Okorafor blasted Matt Canada, the offensive coordinator at the time. The Steelers found their excuse to get Jones on the field while keeping Moore as the starting blindside blocker. Jones and Moore played the rest of the 2023 season at those respective positions.

What do you think about Moore's explanation on why he can only play left tackle, as well as the Steelers letting him force everyone else to adapt to his lack of versatility? Let us know in the comments.

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