The Pittsburgh Steelers were back in the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex earlier than they had anticipated, having been ousted before they even reached the postseason. That unfortunately marked the sixth consecutive season in which they failed to win a postseason game—tying their longest drought of the Super Bowl era. Yet again, they found themselves undergoing the exit meeting process earlier than anticipated, which means so did we.
The Steelers did arguably perform at or above expectations in 2022 by going 9-8 and nearly making the postseason, a reflection of just how much talent they lost during the offseason, from Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Haden to most of their wide receiver room, not to mention Stephon Tuitt’s retirement.
While we might not know all the details about what goes on between coach Mike Tomlin and his players during exit meetings, we do know how we would conduct those meetings. So here are the Depot’s exit meetings for the Steelers’ roster following the 2022 season.
Player: Kendrick Green
Position: G/C
Experience: 2 Years
A 2021 third-round pick out of Illinois, Green played 977 offensive snaps for the Steelers as a rookie starter at center. He played zero snaps and never dressed for a game as the team’s ninth offensive lineman just a year later.
That understandably leaves his position vulnerable for the upcoming season. If Green was already the end man on the roster, it’s easy to see that his job security is weak. Many anticipate that the Steelers will add at least one, perhaps even two offensive linemen through the draft. They could add some veteran depth in free agency as well.
One has to wonder what the team view is of Green, who lost a battle for the starting left guard position during training camp last year to Kevin Dotson. Dotson is often regarded as the Steelers’ weakest starter, yet that position battle wasn’t close.
In fact, the Steelers seemed to think so little of Green’s performance that they bolstered their depth just before the start of the regular season, acquiring veteran tackle and guard Jesse Davis via trade for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2025.
Put simply, Green will have to improve significantly this offseason if he hopes to make the 53-man roster. In spite of the fact that he was entrusted with a starting job as a rookie—which in hindsight doesn’t look so great—his grace period is over. He has to earn his keep and not retain a roster spot on scholarship with the prospect of “potential” any longer.
He had his shot at center. He had his shot at guard. He’s not playing tackle. He’s probably not playing fullback, either. And here we are.
