Tim Benz: Nick Caserio defends Kendrick Green trade, takes jab at Ben Roethlisberger

Former Steelers offensive lineman Kendrick Green had a really rough go of it during his three years in Pittsburgh.

Forced into service prematurely as a rookie starting center in 2021, Green struggled badly to learn the position on the NFL level after playing a lot of guard at Illinois. To start 2022, he lost his job to Mason Cole and never saw the field.

Then Green popped in training camp this summer, but only as an experimental fullback. Once he got back into game action along the O-line in the preseason, he fired a few bad snaps and got pushed around by opposing defensive linemen.

Remember just a few weeks ago when Ben Roethlisberger poked fun at the move of Green to fullback during his “Footbahllin’” podcast?

“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. “Kevin Colbert and them drafted him to be my center my last year. And now he is playing fullback. But good for Kendrick.”

So when Steelers general manager Omar Khan was somehow able to swindle a 2025 sixth-round pick from the Houston Texans in exchange for Green on Tuesday, there was cause for much celebration in Pittsburgh.

Personally, I thought it was a little overboard. Houston had a bunch of offensive line injuries, and the Steelers only got a sixth-round pick after next season. It’s not like the Chase Claypool for pick No. 32 all over again. But, yes, it was well played by Khan to get anything for Green, given his rollercoaster first three years.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio must’ve heard some of the second-guessing about the move. Because when he addressed the media to discuss the trade, he sure seemed defensive about it.

“He actually played, probably, more competitive than people think,” Caserio said Tuesday. “I know there’s been some commentary made about him — specifically from the guy who played quarterback there. But, in the end, we can’t really worry about what happened somewhere else. (We’re) trying to focus on where we are now and what you think he can bring to the table. He has some inside flexibility, center-guard and guard-center. He’s an offensive lineman.”

Indeed. Technically, Green is an offensive lineman.

You know, unless he’s a fullback.

More sports

• U mad, bro?: Steelers' roster cuts; Pirates' haircuts; Guns N' Roses at PNC Park
• Pitt's deep tight end group gives assistant coach Tim Salem lineup options
• Unheralded Dylan Cook goes from college QB to making Steelers' roster as backup tackle

But forget that. How about that dart at Big Ben, huh? Caserio said that with a little snarl in his voice too. That “from the guy who played quarterback there” quip had a little disdain to it.

I wonder where that comes from. Past history? Maybe Casero thinks Roethlisberger broke a code by busting on a former teammate or a former GM.

For his part, though, Caserio was insisting Green could be something.

“That was a player that we did a lot of work on in 2021 when he was drafted. He had good traits, a good playing style, good testing numbers, played a lot as a rookie,” Caserio insisted.

As for Green, it sounds like he is embracing the change of scenery.

“It wasn’t expected. But I’m excited. It seems like a great team, and I’m ready to work,” Green told KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson. “Whatever the team needs. I’m excited to try and make the most out of it.”

Green always seemed like a good guy. He just wasn’t a good offensive lineman. Maybe he’ll turn into just that in Houston.

And if he does, I’m sure that Caserio will be the first to let Roethlisberger know about it.