The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a tough spot currently as they near the final stretch of the 2023 regular season. Entering Week 15, the Steelers sit at 7-6, and are barely on the inside of the playoff picture. However, there are some people already looking ahead to the 2024 offseason, considering this season a lost cause.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is currently being grilled by fans and the media for the current state of the team.
Looking ahead to the 2024 offseason, while the Steelers are going to ask a lot of questions to answer in terms of their own roster, there are some former Steelers that might be looking for a big payday.
Prior to the 2023 season kicking off, the Steelers ended up trading away two former offensive line starters who were replaced by free agent veterans they brought in. Those offensive linemen they traded away were Kendrick Green, who they traded to the Houston Texans for a 2025 sixth round pick, as well as Kevin Dotson, who they traded to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2024 fourth round pick and a 2025 fifth round pick.
Steelers Replaced And Traded Away Two Linemen That Became Starters Elsewhere
Both Green and Dotson were viewed as either total busts (Green), or viewed as guys that were somewhat misused and never lived up to early expectations (Dotson). Both however, found their way into starting roles for their new respective teams, and even played against the Steelers this season. Unfortunately for Green, he tore his meniscus in that game and is out the remainder of the season.
While Green's season is over, Dotson is currently thriving in Los Angeles. He is performing as one of the top guards in the league this season after the Rams revamped their running scheme to more of a gap/power scheme, which played right into Dotson's strength. That along with a move back to right guard as opposed to left guard where he played primarily in Pittsburgh has greatly helped Dotson this season.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Former Pittsburgh Steelers guard, Kevin Dotson.
With his improved play, some are expecting Dotson to command a tremendous amount of money this offseason. Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus posted a story of the top free agents for 2024, and Dotson made his list. What is going to come as the biggest shock to Steeler Nation is the insane amount of money he projects Dotson to sign for, which is a whopping $69 million over the course of four years with $41.25 million guaranteed.
To go from replaced by an offseason free agent addition, to traded for a couple day three picks, to then being projected to be signing a contract that would put you just outside the top five of your position? That is an insane bounce back. Below are Spielberger's full comments on Dotson.
"Dotson was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, and what first appeared like an odd fit should have instead been a signal that head coach Sean McVay was reinventing his offense to much success in 2023. McVay has pivoted from a wide-zone rushing attack to a heavy gap scheme, and Dotson has been a picture-perfect fit. He has always been a strong pass protector, which has carried over, as well."
Unlike some other players that have found success once their time came to an end wearing the black and gold, there likely isn't much ill will towards Dotson from the Steelers fans, but instead just now a bunch of questions that they will likely never have the answer to.
Was the move back to right guard, his primary position through college, really all it took for Dotson to ascend to a top player? Was the Steelers running scheme really that flawed or not line up with Dotson's skillset? Can Matt Canada be blamed for this somehow still?
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / x: @JSKO_Photo)
It is unclear who is to blame for the Steelers trading away both Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson, and them succeeding elsewhere.
Those are all questions we will likely never know the answer to. But still, watching Dotson ascend to one of the top players at his position just months after being a Steeler does burn a little knowing that he could've been that player for them.
Seeing if anyone is willing to pay nearly $70 million for Dotson will definitely be something Steelers fans are keeping an eye on this offseason.
Do you think Dotson is worth nearly $70 million? Is it the Steelers fault he couldn't perform at this level, or did he just need a change of scenery? Comment below!
#SteelerNation
