The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Houston Texans 20-12 in their first preseason game last Friday, but there were some positives to take away from the first game of the 2024 season. One of Pittsburgh’s bright spots last Friday night was OLB Jeremiah Moon, who ranked second on the team with six tackles while recording three solo stops, one tackle for loss, one sack and one quarterback hit in 23 defensive snaps.
Moon entered the game in the second quarter after OLB Nick Herbig was taken out of the game for the rest of the game, running with players like OLB Kyron Johnson and Julius Welschof on Pittsburgh’s second and third defenses. Moon showed well against the Texans as a run defender, using his big, long frame to stack and shake off blocks to make tackles at the line of scrimmage. Check out the replay below where Moon fends off the tight end’s block to make that tackle at the line of scrimmage for a short play gain, and crosses the blocker’s face into the backfield to make the stop.
Moon played well against the run against Houston. He played with a sense of urgency and stayed on course to the ball carrier. Check out Moon’s plays against the run below, including the second rep where he darts down the line of scrimmage to stop the ball and nearly stops the back from reaching the first down marker on the third-and-1 run attempt.
Jeremiah Moon is a bigger outside linebacker than Kyron Johnson, giving him the advantage in terms of length and weight to better withstand bigger, stronger offensive linemen at the point of attack. However, Moon is not the most fluid athlete in the room, lacking the agility of Johnson. Still, he manages to get a stop here on the screen pass into the flat, changing direction as the runner pulls back inside to make the stop in the open field.
There were moments Friday night where Moon could have done a better job against the run by keeping Houston’s outside attack in check. He and LB Payton Wilson were both caught looking inside on this run below, giving the back an opportunity to get outside to the sideline and gain extra yards since Moon was caught looking inside instead of keeping his outside leg and arm free. It might have been a miscommunication between him and Wilson regarding inside/outside responsibilities, but nonetheless, it was a play that could have been limited to a shorter gain had Moon kept the runner from reaching the corner.
Jeremiah Moon also had a few opportunities as a pass rusher on Friday night, an area of his game he needed to better showcase to show he can contribute as a rotational pass rusher behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. He converts speed into power here as a rusher while Houston is at their own goal line, using his long arms to force the right tackle back into the pocket and collapsing the pocket as QB Davis Mills attempts the pass that is intercepted by DL Montravius Adams.
Jeremiah Moon also had a sack late in the fourth quarter against Houston, when he went unblocked and bridged the gap between the left tackle and left guard to sack QB Case Keenum. None of the offensive linemen could hold Moon, leaving the quarterback with a clear shot, which he took advantage of, quickly finishing and throwing Keenum to the ground.
Moon put in a strong performance in the first preseason game against the Texans, showing the skills of a capable run defender who can also generate pressure as a pass rusher. Fellow OLB Kyron Johnson also shone in the game, setting the two up for an exciting battle after OLB Markus Golden retired and took Pittsburgh’s OLB4 spot behind Watt, Highsmith and Herbig.
Jeremiah Moon and Johnson have two games left to get the upper hand in the position battle for a roster spot. Still, Moon has positioned himself well for this position battle with Johnson and shown that his size and length, as well as his playmaking ability, are assets he brings should Pittsburgh select him for their final OLB spot on the roster.
