Titans are paying Dan Moore $82 million to learn what the Steelers already knew

The Tennessee Titans signed offensive tackle Dan Moore to a four-year contract in free agency worth $82 million. Moore was added as a high-price addition to help protect Cam Ward's blind side. He failed to do that adequately in his first showing, a 20-12 Week 1 defeat to the Denver Broncos.

Moore is tied for the 13th-highest average annual salary among offensive tackles. It was a big-time gamble by general manager Mike Borgonzi as one of the decisions his first offseason will be judged on. Drafting Ward was the decision that Borgonzi's tenure will be defined by, but the sizable contract given to Moore looks far more questionable.

Moore struggled mightily with Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto. Bonitto generated seven of his nine pressures against Moore, according to Next Gen Stats. He has already struggled against top-tier pass rushers, and the Titans are paying him $82 million to find out what previous team the Pittsburgh Steelers already knew.

The Steelers already knew what the Titans are finding out about LT Dan Moore

Moore always had trouble handling elite pass rushers. He dealt with plenty of them while playing in the AFC North, Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson included. Last season, Pro Football Focus credited Moore with allowing a league-high 12 sacks and a ninth-worst 41 pressures.

The Titans are hoping Moore will perform stable enough to help improve their 2024 lackluster line play. That wasn't the case versus the Broncos on Sunday. Ward was sacked six times and under constant duress. Moore was also whistled for a first-half holding penalty that essentially cost the Titans 20 yards after it wiped out a 10-yard Ward scramble.

Moore consistently lost his matchup with Bonitto. It was the continuation of what he did in Pittsburgh throughout 2024 when facing talented pass rushers. The Titans paid Moore $82 million to learn he's often out-matched.