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Steelers' latest position change creates new fan favorite
There is certainly a lot of intrigue surrounding the Steelers offense in 2023 and they may have just found a new unlikely weapon.
Kendrick Green, who has primarily played center through his first two seasons in Pittsburgh, has taken snaps at fullback during a few of the team’s latest training camp practices.
Kendrick Green at FB Friday night per @kaedynpago #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/B7arJtUkGh
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 5, 2023
Kendrick Green with a reception! Green might have found his calling at fullback. (Video via @TommyJaggi). #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/qG3AMHvW9b
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) August 5, 2023
The change of position may be a surprise to some, but one former Steeler already predicted it in May. "Put him at fullback" linebacker Vince Williams posted on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter.
Green started 15 games as a rookie after being drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. However, he has since lost his starting role to veteran Mason Cole, who signed a three-year deal with the team last offseason.
With some believing Green could even be cut when the Steelers trim their roster down to 53, a switch to fullback may be exactly what can save Green’s career. Especially because Pittsburgh doesn’t have a true fullback on its roster after undrafted free-agent FB Monte Pottebaum retired last week.
Green's only competition is Connor Heyward, who is more of a hybrid player than a stereotypical fullback anyway.
Pittsburgh had a similar scenario play out with Roosevelt Nix, who originally played linebacker but served as the team's fullback from 2015-19. Green could be the latest example as he has quickly turned into a fan favorite, which will only make a parting of ways with him more difficult for the Steelers.
More must-reads:
- New FB Kendrick Green Destroying LBs at Steelers Training Camp
- Steelers Find New Ways to Use Calvin Austin’s Speed
- The 'NFL Defensive Players of the Year ' quiz
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Standout performances from Week 1 of NFL preseason: Rookie, backup QBs shine
The first week of the 2025 NFL preseason is officially in the books. Even though the games and results do not matter, there is still reason to pay attention to standout performances from around the league. Here are some of the best from this week's games. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots The Patriots need some game-changers on offense, and they may have found one in second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson put on an immediate show in the Patriots' preseason opener, returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, rushing for 18 yards on his only carry and catching three passes. Skylar Thompson, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers Thompson is not likely to make the Steelers roster, but that doesn't mean he can't find a spot on another team. Especially if he puts together a strong preseason performance. He did exactly that on Saturday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing 20-of-28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. With Aaron Rodgers unlikely to play in the preseason and Will Howard injured, Thompson should get plenty of reps to audition for other teams. Tanner McKee, QB, Philadelphia Eagles Following the offseason trade of Kenny Pickett, McKee is now pretty much cemented in as the Eagles' backup, and he had to give them a lot of confidence in his ability following his preseason performance against the Bengals. McKee torched the Bengals defense to the tune of 20-of-25 passing for 252 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. It is a nice continuation for McKee following his promising debut a year ago when he threw for 323 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions in his two appearances. Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams The Rams already have a starting running back in Kyren Williams, but there is nothing wrong with having a second productive player at the position. Corum didn't make the expected impact in his rookie season, but he had a promising preseason debut this year with two touchdowns in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. Rookie quarterbacks Cleveland's Shedeur Sanders got the week off to a promising start by throwing two touchdowns against Carolina, taking a big step forward in his quest to win the team's starting quarterback job and to silence the critics following his slide in the draft. Jaxson Dart, one of the Giants' first-round picks, also had a strong showing by going 12-of-19 with 154 yards and a very impressive touchdown pass. Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, also had a strong debut by leading a touchdown drive and developing an instant connection with veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Abdul Carter, DE, New York Giants Carter did not play a ton of snaps for the Giants, but he was a force when he did play. He recorded a quarterback pressure on all three of his pass-rush snaps and showed the type of quickness and speed that made him one of the best players in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Cam Little, K, Jacksonville Jaguars Look, when you kick a 70-yard field goal, you deserve to get some added recognition, whether it counts as an official league record or not. Little made all four field goal attempts, as well as an extra point, in the Jaguars' preseason debut.
Mets' slide continues with arguably their worst loss of the season
The New York Mets are trending in the wrong direction, and their slide continued on Sunday with what might have been their worst loss of the season. The Mets not only were on the losing end of a 7-6 walk-off loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, they blew a 5-0 lead in the process and extended their losing streak to seven consecutive games. Even worse, they have lost 11 out of their past 12 games during a time where the Philadelphia Phillies are starting to pull away in the National League East race. The biggest issue for the Mets for most of this slump has been an offense that has gone ice cold. But that wasn't necessarily the problem on Sunday as they pushed six runs across the plate. The problem on Sunday was a rough start for Sean Manaea (four earned runs in four innings) and a bullpen that was unable to hold on to a late lead. Trade-deadline addition Ryan Helsley allowed the tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning when he allowed an RBI single to Joey Ortiz. That set the stage for star closer Edwin Diaz to serve up a walk-off home run to Isaac Collins. The Mets are still holding a playoff spot in the National League, but it is getting more uncomfortable by the day. After Sunday's games they are in the third and final wild-card spot in the National League, and only have 1.5 games of cushion between them and the Cincinnati Reds. The Mets had sky-high expectations this season after making the playoffs a year ago and then adding Juan Soto in free agency. While Soto's bat has ended up being everything the Mets hoped it would be, the rest of the offense has struggled in the heat of the summer and now the pressure is only going to keep mounting if they do not get out of this slump soon. With nine of their next 12 games coming against the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals — two of the worst teams in the National League — there is at least an opportunity for them to maybe get back on track. They need to, because after that stretch they have a three-game home series against the Phillies that could go a long way toward determining the path of their season.
Jaguars' Travis Hunter plays both sides of ball in preseason debut
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter is going to be one of the must-see stories in the NFL this season as he attempts to play both sides of the ball. It's going to be a daunting task in the NFL, but he got his first taste of it on Saturday night in the team's preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hunter lined up as both a wide receiver and cornerback — just as he did throughout his college career — and produced some mixed results. Offensively, he lined up for nine snaps on the team's opening drive and caught two passes (on two targets) for nine yards, including a six-yard catch that came up just one yard short of the first-down line on a third-down play. The Jaguars' first-team offense was going up against a lineup featuring mostly Steelers backups, and their game plan seemed to focus more on short-quick passes than anything that would allow Hunter to get downfield or make any big plays. Defensively, Hunter lined up for five snaps at cornerback and did not have any passes go in his direction, while he also missed a potential tackle on a running play. Hunter was one of the best players in college football over the previous two seasons, playing both cornerback and wide receiver at an exceptionally high level. It was not uncommon for him to play over 100 snaps in a game. That performance resulted in him being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft class (with Jacksonville trading up to get him). He has every intention of playing both sides of the ball in the NFL, and the Jaguars seem inclined to let him try. It's not going to be easy, though. There is a massive difference in speed and physicality (not to mention quality of play) between college football and the NFL, and just because he was able to excel at both positions (and have the durability to play both) in the former does not mean he will be able to do so as effectively in the latter. He may have to limit himself on one side of the ball a little as the grind of a season wears on. If he does not have to limit himself, and if he is able to pull it off, it would make him one of the most valuable players in the NFL just based on the fact that he is two premium positions in one player.
Jhoan Duran is showing he's everything the Phillies needed
Despite appearing in just four games for the Philadelphia Phillies, closer Jhoan Duran has already made an impact. Duran slammed the door shut again on Sunday afternoon, notching his fourth save in as many games as he closed out the Phillies' 4-2 victory over the Rangers. He has allowed just one hit over four scoreless innings, striking out three as he has retired 12 of the 13 batters he has faced since he was acquired at the trade deadline. The ninth inning had been a revolving door yet again for the Phillies this season. Closer Jose Alvarado had performed well, posting a 2.70 ERA and a 1.200 WHiP over his 20 innings, but was suspended for 80 games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Jordan Romano has been inconsistent at best, moving in and out of the closer role as he has posted a 6.64 ERA and a 1.347 WHiP over 39.1 innings entering Monday, striking out 41 batters with 15 walks. Although relievers Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm have pitched well, the Phillies have been reluctant to hand either the closer role. The Phillies paid handsomely to bring Duran on board. Pitcher Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait are both top-100 prospects and could be building blocks in Minnesota for years to come. Moving Duran could pay long-term dividends for the Twins. Meanwhile, the Phillies have a different goal in mind — winning the third World Series in franchise history. A constant revolving door in the ninth inning has kept that goal out of reach. While it is just a four-game sample size, Duran has been everything that the Phillies could have hoped for in their closer.
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