Coming into OTAs for the second time in a player’s career can be one where there is a lot of change for a young player. For a player who struggled their rookie season and had an up-and-down year, the process of their first full offseason can be even more tumultuous and yet rewarding. Steelers interior offensive lineman Kendrick Green is one of those players that is heading into a crucial offseason process.
While Green got the starting center job out of jump, the Steelers brought in Mason Cole and James Daniels. Kevin Dotson at left guard leaves Green in a battle. It is a stark change for a rookie who was thought to have lots of promising traits. However, those never matriculated into success on the football field. After a tough season that ended with a calf injury and Green sitting on the bench for J.C. Hassenauer, Green went back to the drawing board.
When someone like T.J. Watt notices the work of a player on the first day of OTAs, there is something that the player did right. Green got that distinctive honor this past week as Watt commented on the new build that Green sported. Always a strong player, Green appears to have become even stronger.
“Obviously, I think everyone comes out here and does a great job,” Watt said to Missi Matthews of Steelers.com. “I think Kendrick Green is one of those guys who has definitely put on weight. He looks more built up.”
Green’s up-and-down season needs to parlay into something. With obvious athleticism that is all there, he has the tools to be something. Now, the question will be if that resolves at center or guard. While strength was not the core part of his issue, it was still something to look at. With a new, better build, it seems that Green is looking to make some serious noise in the offseason process.