With 87th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kendrick Green, guard for the Illinois Fighting Illini. Green was a 6'4", 315 lbs. junior who in three collegiate seasons, started the first 24 games of his career at left guard. An injury to the starting center in his sophomore season pressed him into action as the team’s center in the 2019 Redbox Bowl. The Illini lost the game 35-20, but Green performed adequately filling in at center.
He was selected as a First Team All Big 10 player after his junior season, starting three games at center and five at guard. He was an aggressive run blocker and jumped off tape finishing blocks once he engaged a defender. The scouting report pointed out recognition inconsistencies in his pass blocking.
Green’s particular weakness in pass protection during his college career spent predominantly at guard made the Steelers decision to convert him to the full-time center at one of the premier offensive line positions in professional football a little curious. But after camp, they thought he was the best option at center in 2021. Green for better or worse announced his intentions to be the next great Steeler center by donning the number 53, Maurkice Pouncey’s jersey number, immediately following his retirement.
Green started the first 15 games of the 2021 NFL season for Pittsburgh, but was inconsistent and the Minnesota Vikings Monday Night Football game in particular, he struggled mightily with just getting the snap off when Ben Roethlisberger audibled at the line of scrimmage. He was benched for the final two games and the Steelers turned to journeyman J.C. Hassenauer.
The Steelers won their final two games to make the playoffs.
The fanbase was disappointed with Green who was over his head most of the season. His play and his choice of number became an increasingly sore spot in Steeler Nation. Immediately after the season, Green decided to call on Pouncey in his home state of Florida to gain insight on how he could improve his performance in 2022.
Pouncey’s social media showed the two working together during the off-season, but for many fans, it was too little too late. Green is only entering his second season in the NFL, so it is a little early to write him off as a failure. He is not the first rookie to struggle in the NFL and if he turns his career around, he certainly will not be the first player to drastically improve in his second season. Green discussed what he and Pouncey worked on in Florida:
“Just a lot of knowledge, think that was the biggest thing, just talking to him and seeing how he views the game, him and Mike [Pouncey], kind of like a big brother/mentor role. I learned a lot just from the few times I’ve been with him.”
The twins who both played center in the NFL, seemed to spend a lot of time with Green working on his mental game. He got progressively worse as the season wore on and he related that the sessions with the brothers were not specific to playing guard or center for the Steelers. The brothers were both Pro Bowl centers during their NFL careers for the AFC. The brothers played next to each other for the University of Florida with Maurkice at center and Mike at right guard, so they are the perfect pair for Green to spend time with to understand how he can best help the Steelers going forward, and find his positional fit on the football field. Green elaborated on their sessions:
“Really didn’t do too much field work, it was kind of like working out and then a lot of just talking over some food, stuff like that, fellowship.”
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen Kevin Dotson (69) and Kendrick Green (53) warm up during OTAs at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. -- ED THOMPSON
When the Steelers elected to bring in Mason Cole to play center as a free agent this off-season, many fans thought Green would have to work very hard just to earn playing time again. The fact that he sought out the Pouncey brothers to work on his game and more importantly, to rebuild his mental state, demonstrates the young man is committed to doing whatever it takes to improve and help the team.
He will be engaged in a battle with Kevin Dotson for the starting guard position opposite James Daniels. If Green can flash the devastating run blocking he displayed at the college level, it could be a very interesting battle. No matter the result of the battle, if Green can prove that he is capable of doing his job on the field and can provide quality depth while displaying confidence in his ability again, it will go a long way to restoring faith from the fans. I am rooting for him to turn it around and become a fixture in the black and gold.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you encouraged by Green seeking out help from the Pouncey’s? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
