Halicke: Offensive line of the future could be happening right now

Dan Moore Jr. popped up on the Steelers' injury report Wednesday as a non-participant in practice, paving the way for Troy Fautanu to earn first-team reps at right tackle while Broderick Jones slid over to the left side.

It probably wasn't the plan from the very beginning, but we could be seeing the offensive line of the future take shape sooner rather than later.

Fautanu isn't trying to think too big right now. He's approaching this week with more actual game preparedness, something he's desperately missed while recovering from his knee sprain:

"It's tough missing three weeks. It's three weeks that I wasn't able to get better," Fautanu said after Wednesday's practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "But I was really locked in more mentally so that when I did get back out there, I'm playing fast. Whatever role that they're giving me, come this game or whatever game it is, I'm ready to go."

Even if Moore wasn't injured, the conversation of what to do about Fautanu was going to come up at some point anyway. It wasn't anything to worry about it Week 1. Fautanu was still working his way back last week, and he confirmed as much today with reporters, despite being cleared to play in Atlanta. (I reported in mid-August Week 1 was very unlikely for Fautanu).

Though Moore wasn't a participant Wednesday, there's still a real chance that he can work his way back to being able to play Sunday. If he can, Tomlin will have a decision to make. There are only two tackles on the field at one time. Somebody's going to have to sit. And, as Tomlin confirmed during his Tuesday press conference, Fautanu did enough during training camp and the preseason to earn an opportunity to be at least considered as a starter.

"It's more difficult, but we have a commitment to continue it because we liked what we saw from him during team development," Tomlin said. "He's deserving of that. His talents are deserving of that. We'll balance that the best we can."

Sitting Moore isn't as easy as many people may think. He's the longest-tenured lineman in that room. He's a consummate professional about anything he's asked to do. And, Moore had a damn good day at the office against the likes of Matthew Judon and other members of the Falcons' defensive front. Of 31 pass-blocking snaps, Moore pitched a shutout in sacks allowed, quarterback hits and quarterback pressures.

But the other side of that coin is committing to what Omar Khan has repeatedly said about Jones: Moving him to his natural spot at left tackle. And, ultimately, Jones and Fautanu are the book ends of the future. The Steelers didn't trade up and draft Jones in the first round and then draft Fautanu in the first round the very next year for nothing.

These kids are going to play. It's not a matter of if, but when. Everyone knows it. That's why, when I asked how Fautanu and Jones have grown together, he not only acknowledged how Jones has helped him along but also others in that room:

"For me and him, it's just taking what he says and listening to it. Because, although we're similar in age, he's young too, but he's had a year under his belt and I don't. Just listening to everybody in the room, regardless. Everyone's looking out for me. Everyone has their best interests in mind for me. For him, man, he's just really awesome in terms of giving me perspective on what to expect come any given Sunday."

You read that? "Everyone's looking out for me." That's why I said Moore is a consummate professional. He's gotta know that these two were drafted to become the tackles of the future. That can't be easy.

But at the end of the day, the Steelers are trying to win football games. Not just in 2024, but also in years ahead. And, when there are young, exciting, talented players on the offensive line, having them play together as often as possible makes a lot of sense.

Just as Justin Fields might have an opportunity to cement himself as the starting quarterback, should he play Sunday, this group of younger offensive linemen have an opportunity gives the Steelers the front they'll roll out on Sundays for years to come. Should Jones move over to the left side, his ceiling should get higher. Fautanu had a solid preseason, and could really help seal off the right side should he continue that play. And, they'd be adding to Zach Frazier's impressive NFL debut, in which he stacked more pancakes than an IHOP (love the commentary from Brian Baldinger):

There's no doubt that the Steelers want to try and win a Super Bowl this season. But, if they can begin to solidify their offensive line, and maybe even find a quarterback this season, it might be a success even if they don't add a seventh Lombardi to the trophy case.