Steelers Frustrated Offensive Lineman Kendrick Green Gets Some Practical Advice From Veteran To Help Him In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't really have a solid plan to replace nine-time Pro Bowl and five-time AP All-Pro center, Maurkice Pouncey when he walked off the field after an emotional final season where he realized he was no longer the dominant force he had been for years in the league. The team drafted Kendrick Green from the University of Illinois in the third round and picked him initially as Pouncey's successor, even giving him the number 53.

Green was thrown to the wolves as the starting center in his rookie season. He had started only five of 33 games in college at center, playing guard every other snap, after initially joining the program as a defensive lineman for his redshirt year in 2017. Recently, Pouncey made an appearance on former longtime teammate, Ramon Foster's show and detailed how he felt it was unfair for the Steelers to try to pigeonhole Green into his job right away. 

Realizing how overmatched he was in 2021, the team added veteran center Mason Cole in free agency. Green started the 2022 training camp battling for a starting position at the more familiar guard spot. Now, Green is back at the center spot to start the 2023 season and despite admitting to not being a big fan of playing the position in 2021, told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo if that's where the team wants him, that's where he'll play. 

"That’s what the coaches want me to do, so that’s what I’m doing” Green said. “That’s what I have to do to be on the team.” 

Green is facing an uphill battle to secure a spot on the final 53-man roster, but if he can hold down the backup center spot he may be able to slowly resurrect a career that been full of personal frustration, but also had a lot that's been out of his control. While he's not certain if being at the center position is the best thing for his development, if it keeps him employed as a Pittsburgh Steeler, he's happy doing it. 

Steelers' New Starting Center Thinks Experience In Versatility Will Help Green In 2023 And Beyond

Cole is very understanding of the plight that Green has faced during his short, but eventful NFL career to date. He was also a third-round pick back in 2018 by the Arizona Cardinals and was thrust into starting at center in his first year in the NFL. 

Cole had started 13 games in 2016 at the position, but was primarily a left tackle during his tenure at Michigan. According to Pro Football Reference, he started in just two games in his second season with the Cardinals. He told Fittipaldo that he's trying to share what he's learned in his journey with Green. 

"You have to have versatility. You have to find your way," he said. "That time I spent on the bench, I learned from veterans. I learned how they prepared for games, and how they take care of their bodies. There’s always something to learn, no matter what position you are in this building. I told him that. I told him to learn what he can from the older guys — how they condition, how their attitude is, how they process things. There’s so much to learn in this game. You can never stop."       

After what he said felt like a second rookie season learning to play guard at the NFL level, in year three back at center, Green is taking everything in stride and trusting his smarts to try to make the most of his third season in the league.