One of the biggest issues during the 2020 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers was their offensive line. They did pretty well protecting Ben Roethlisberger, but the offensive line was atrocious in regards to the running game. The Steelers running backs only averaged 3.6 yards per carry in 2020 and they also finished dead last in regards to the running game in the NFL. To make matters worse in Pittsburgh their starting center Maurkice Pouncey decided to retire during the offseason.
Once Pouncey left Pittsburgh they decided to bring back BJ Finney who had a tough time in Seattle and Cincinnati. The Steelers also decided to draft Kendrick Green in the Third Round of the NFL draft to give Finney some competition in training camp. Green says he is going to come in and try to steal the starting center position during camp so I am expecting a big battle in regards to the center position.
Bleacher Report recently named every NFL team's most important training camp battles and they feel the center position is going to be the most fun to watch during Steelers camp in 2021. I will have to say the center position is going to be a fun battle to watch, but the cornerback position will be fun to watch as well. Especially after releasing Steven Nelson during the 2021 NFL offseason.
It isn't going to be easy to replace Maurkice Pouncey's center position right away. There is a huge hole to fill going into the 2021 season and the Steelers feel BJ Finney or Kendrick Green are going to compete over the starting position in training camp. Not to mention they will also give J.C. Hassenauer a good look even though he is a long shot to win the Steelers starting center position going forward.
Finney and Green are both the better options for the Steelers going forward. Finney knows how the Steelers operate since he has been with the organization for several seasons. Which will give him a bit of an advantage in regards to the knowledge aspect. The problem with Finney is he can't seem to stay healthy on the football field. If Finney goes down anytime during the 2021 season then he can kiss starting for the Steelers goodbye if that is the route they choose to go.
If the Steelers do opt to start Finney it won't be long before Kendrick Green becomes the Steelers starting center going forward. Green will just need to adjust to the speed and athleticism of the NFL level and he should become a surefire starter in the NFL. All eyes will be on the center, cornerback, and quarterback battles during the Steelers 2021 training camp. It should be a fun one to watch and fans are allowed back this year!
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