The Pittsburgh Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan have not been shy throughout the 2024 offseason. The franchise is cutting a ton of fat and revamping several areas of the roster. That has included a new punter, linebacker, quarterback, safety and cornerback all coming to town, while the organization said goodbye to their top wide receiver in Diontae Johnson and 2022 first-round quarterback in Kenny Pickett. Khan has proved that he is breaking Steelers’ tradition and the moves made since the Wild Card Round loss to the Buffalo Bills aren’t necessarily surprising based on his history since being promoted in May of 2022.
Steelers General Manager, Omar Khan hangs out with the fans and signs some autographs at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA during 2023 training camp.
A couple of other former Steelers know what it’s like to be traded on Khan’s watch. Just prior to the 2023 season kicking off, the leader of the front office dealt offensive guard Kevin Dotson to the Los Angeles Rams. He went on to have an incredible season and was a force on the line for Los Angeles. He inked a massive contract extension. Just two days after he was traded back in August, Khan moved on from 2021 third-round bust Kendrick Green, sending him to the Houston Texans.
Hope Kenny ball out
— Kendrick J. Green (@The_fridge53) March 16, 2024
Not too long after the news broke regarding Pickett, Green took to social media with a simple, yet strong message. He wants the quarterback to head to the Philadelphia Eagles and prove the Steelers’ organization wrong.
Dotson was not shy in his endorsement of the tweet and the message behind it, either; he reposted it to his own account. Green was having a formidable season for himself as well, but it ended abruptly when he tore his meniscus in a Week 4 game against Pittsburgh. Both linemen clearly have a tiny bit of frustration regarding how their careers with the Steelers ended.
Steelers Kevin Dotson Kendrick Green
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
It’s nice to see the duo sticking up for their former quarterback, but it appears as more of a shot at Pittsburgh than anything else. Pickett is arguably entering a much worse situation for himself and his career with the Eagles. For starters, he’ll have his fifth-year option for 2026 denied and will most likely be sitting behind star quarterback Jalen Hurts for two seasons.
The Steelers signed a veteran on the backend of his career for one year and despite Russell Wilson throwing for 26 touchdowns in 2023, he doesn’t seem to be the signal-caller he once was. Pickett was reportedly frustrated with the team for handing out the starting job to Wilson, but competition makes players better; Pickett ran away from it.
Dotson was never necessarily disliked in the Steel City. He has some consistency issues, but was a bright spot from time to time. The maker of the social media post in Green, however, was never successful after being drafted in 2021. He was expected to be the replacement for legendary center Maurkice Pouncey, but struggled in his rookie season. He never dressed in his second year and was traded before his third with the organization could begin.
Steelers Kendrick Green
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Former Steelers third-round draft pick and center Kendrick Green (#53) walks on the sideline at then-Heinz Field during a 2021 team training camp practice in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Made Wise Move Dealing Pickett
It was clear that Pickett was going to be a tad grumpy about the acquisition of Wilson. The Steelers known what kind of player he is, and certainly believe that the future of the franchise is going to be better off with someone else leading the way. The newcomer in Wilson may only be in the Steel City for one season, but overall, Pittsburgh and Khan are admitting fault in reaching for a quarterback in 2022. They better be able to back it up and put a winning unit on the field in 2024.
