Mike Tomlin Says Trai Turner Has Taken Kendrick Green Under His Wing
PITTSBURGH — When the Steelers brought in Trai Turner to be the team’s new starting right guard following the release of David DeCastro, they knew he would have to learn about him and the role he could carry in the season. While up to this point he has not played in a preseason game, it appears Turner may play on Thursday as Tomlin expands the players who play to some other veterans.
Regardless of who suits up in the game, however, Turner is making his impact felt very strongly off the field just as much as he has felt it on the field. Playing next to rookie center Kendrick Green, there is an opportunity for Turner, who is a veteran to be a leader to the younger Green. With Turner being the elder statesman in terms of NFL experience in the room, he has already taken Green under his wing according to Mike Tomlin.
“He’s doing a really good job of communicating with younger players, like Kendrick Green, in terms of general cohesion and talking about NFL football and life,” Tomlin said. “Oftentimes, you can see those two guys working after practice discussing whatever transpired collectively between them during the course of a workday. And that developing relationship is being initiated by Trai. I appreciate that. I expect him to do his job and do his job well. I appreciate it when I see him doing things that value to us in an intangible way.”
Turner’s signing was one that was pivotal to the Steelers’ hopes for a solid offensive line. Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen, but his mentorship with Green off the field is always a good thing to see.
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