Playing with a QB like Russell Wilson “makes the job a lot easier,” Dan Moore says

The Pittsburgh Steelers switched to Russell Wilson at quarterback last week, and the early results are positive. Although he had to shake off some rust, he ultimately played pretty well but still had room for growth. But all LT Dan Moore Jr. knows is that he’s easy for the offensive line to play against. He gives them what they need in a quarterback, and that’s all they can ask for.

“I thought (Russell Wilson) did a really good job of leadership in the huddle,” Moore told George Von Benko of WMBS Radio. “I think he communicated really well with us, especially on offense, and got us on the same page. I thought he did a great job making decisions and getting the ball out. As offensive linemen, you love it when your QB gets the ball out in rhythm. It makes your job a lot easier just managing the game and keeping us all informed.”

The Steelers, of course, spent the first six games with Justin Fields at center. Although he hasn’t been a rhythm passer in the past, he shortened his throwing time for most of the season. However, in his most recent starts, that number began to rise again. Although Russell Wilson is not the fastest passer, he provides a higher percentage of rhythm. He also tends to extend his plays significantly, meaning his average is above the median.

Dan Moore spent the first year of his career blocking for Ben Roethlisberger, followed by a strange mix of Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph. This year’s move to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields was certainly a tough blow.

While Wilson and Fields share some similarities, Wilson is a far more traditional passer. In fact, he’s the most traditional passer they’ve had since Roethlisberger, aside from maybe Rudolph. Combined with his immense experience, Dan Moore and the offensive line clearly recognize this. And even though he didn’t say it, I’m sure he saw at least some contrast from playing with Justin Fields.

In case you’re just coming out of an extended coma, Russell Wilson injured his calf early in training camp. In between and as the injury worsened, the Steelers named him their starting quarterback. But it took him seven weeks to get on the field and compete, and at first he seemed rusty. But the feeling on the field was different.

“I guess from the outside looking in it seemed bad,” Moore said of Russell Wilson’s slow start. “But just through the group, the confidence that we had, the courage that we had, I felt like we knew that things were going to change at some point, even if things weren’t going that way at the start of the game. It would hit. We all believed it. Russ believed it.”

It worked in one game, and that’s all well and good, but the Steelers still have 12 or 13 games left, or so they hope. This is a team with Super Bowl aspirations, and that’s why Russell Wilson is up right now the field. Because he can do all those little things like make the job easier on offense.