The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent the last two offseasons addressing their offensive line. In 2023, they added two starters in G Isaac Seumalo and OT Broderick Jones (eventually). Then in late April, they drafted three more offensive linemen in OT Troy Fautanu, C Zach Frazier, and G Mason McCormick. This is a lot of talent added in just over 12 months.
This also means a lot of competition, especially at the left tackle position. Dan Moore Jr. got the job, but 2023 was a tough year for him. Fautanu played left tackle in college, but wasn’t a blindside because his quarterback was left-handed. And the Steelers have said they want to move Jones back to the left tackle position. There may be so much competition for a spot that relationships become strained.
Or could it be?
“We help each other as much as we can,” Jones said. Video by Aaron Becker of Yardbarker. “Me and Dan hang out together all the time… Yes, we know this is a competition. Everyone knows it’s a competition. coach [Mike Tomlin] Please note that this is a competition. But I don’t think we’ll end up looking at it that way. “I don’t think there’s any bad blood with anyone.”
#Steelers Broderick Jones competing with Dan Moore Jr. for the starting left tackle position.
“Me and Dan hang out all the time. … Everyone knows this is a competition. “Coach said it was a competition, but I don’t think we’ll look at it that way in the end.” pic.twitter.com/BmguMOK0UJ
— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) June 6, 2024
It’s good to be competitive. How do you get your team members to do their best without destroying team cohesion? That’s what the Steelers are trying to do. With three players instead of two. Perhaps it will be down to two with Jones and Moore fighting for the starting left tackle position.
Still, it sparks plenty of rivalry between players accustomed to fighting physically in the trenches of football. But these players don’t seem to accept this. They value their roles as teammates and friends more than competition.
Hopefully, they can all continue to compete to the best of their ability without taking anything personally. That’s what Moore did last year and what he’s done again this year. He accepted his role as a veteran, helping first Jones and then Fautanu. His lack of selfishness helped him not only as a veteran, but also as a friend.
