The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t seem to put much effort into re-signing veteran left tackle Dan Moore Jr. during NFL free agency.
Moore, known for his durability and consistency—though not necessarily flashy—was expected to receive a big contract from a team in need of offensive line help. With the Steelers selecting offensive tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu in the 2023 and 2024 drafts, bringing Moore back didn’t seem necessary.
Ultimately, Moore secured a more lucrative deal than anticipated, signing a four-year, $82 million contract ($50 million guaranteed) with the Tennessee Titans.
This deal raised eyebrows across the league, with several analysts, including Tyler Brooke from The 33rd Team, calling it one of the worst contracts of the 2025 free agency period.
“It’s hard to fault the Titans for trying to improve their offensive line after last season’s struggles. However, with many tackles re-signing with their teams, the free-agent market quickly became limited, and the Titans may have overpaid to land a starting-caliber left tackle,” wrote Brooke, criticizing Moore’s deal as “overpaid.”
Brooke added that Moore’s contract now places him among the top 10 highest-paid left tackles in the league, and the $50 million guaranteed is especially surprising, ranking him fourth in terms of guaranteed money for current left tackles.
Brooke also pointed out that Moore is not considered an All-Pro-level left tackle, having allowed 12 sacks and 41 pressures in the past season, with his career never featuring fewer than seven sacks allowed. Brooke warned that the Titans had invested a lot in an unproven player.
Pro Football Network echoed this sentiment, agreeing that the Steelers were wise to let Moore go at this price. They ranked his contract among the five worst deals, noting that Moore has never ranked in the top half of NFL left tackles in terms of pressure rate allowed, with three of his four seasons placing him in the bottom seven. While Moore has earned praise for his durability, having started 66 of 68 possible games, his performance suggests that he’s best suited for a swing tackle role or a short-term starter.
Pro Football Network also acknowledged the high demand for offensive tackles once Ronnie Stanley and Alaric Jackson signed extensions before free agency, understanding why the Titans were willing to spend on Moore to avoid missing out entirely. However, they suggested that the Titans might have structured the deal to allow an “out” after two seasons, though this remains uncertain.
In conclusion, Pro Football Network stated that Moore would need to make significant improvements to justify his salary.
While the Steelers may have been reluctant to pay Moore at that price, they would likely welcome his return in 2025 for added depth. However, with Moore gone, Pittsburgh is betting on the growth of Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu.
Fautanu started one game as a rookie before being placed on injured reserve. Despite performing well at right tackle in limited appearances, there could be some growing pains if he stays healthy.
Jones is the bigger concern, with the hope that the third-year player can adjust better to left tackle than he did at right tackle, particularly in pass protection. In 2024, Jones allowed 11 sacks, 10 QB hits, and 45 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, although he performed decently as a run blocker.