Former Pittsburgh Steelers center Kendrick Green had a blunt response for Ben Roethlisberger 's recent criticism of him.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recently expressed his belief that the organization did not set him up for success in his final season like it has quarterback Aaron Rodgers this year.
"I still think it's funny, because they're giving Aaron DK [Metcalf] and all these things, and I got a center that never played center before in my last year," Roethlisberger said . "It's amazing."
However, former Steelers center Kendrick Green seemed to catch some strays from Roethlisberger along the way, and he has since responded to that criticism.
"Damn talk about catching strays jeez Louise lol," Green posted on X .
Green's tenure in Pittsburgh was a failure. The Steelers used a third-round pick on him in the 2021 NFL Draft to replace nine-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro Maurkice Pouncey , despite playing most of his collegiate career at guard.
He was then thrown right into the fire. Green was listed as the team's starting center on the training camp depth chart as he faced minor competition from undrafted free agent J.C. Hassenauer, and head coach Mike Tomlin officially named Green the starter after the preseason concluded.
Green went on to struggle mightily during his rookie season, earning a 53.1 grade from Pro Football Focus and eventually being benched for Hassenauer.
The Steelers moved Green back to guard in 2022, but with the team much deeper there, he never saw the field. In 2023, they again tried him at center and even fullback before trading him to the Texans on Aug. 29 in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers center Kendrick Green against the Buffalo Bills, Aug. 19, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
This isn't the first time that Roethlisberger has been outspoken about the Steelers wasting a pick on Green in the third round, though.
"He was my center my last year. They drafted that guy to be my center. Well, last year, he didn't even dress. And now they have him playing a little bit of fullback," Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast in August of 2023 . "Kevin Colbert and them drafted him to be my center my last year. And now he is playing fullback. But good for Kendrick."
Now, all Roethlisberger can do is cheer on his former team and wish what could have been if he had been surrounded by similar talent like Rodgers.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Ex-Steeler Kendrick Green Responds to Catching Big Ben's Strays
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