A third-round Illinois product who has rebuilt his career as a versatile interior lineman after a rocky start in Pittsburgh.
Kendrick Green arrived in the league as Pittsburgh's plan at center, started as a rookie, and then spent several seasons searching for stability. He has since found a foothold as a reliable depth piece up front, now working through the Cleveland organization.
Path to the league
Green started three seasons on the Illinois offensive line, earning first-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-American honors as a redshirt sophomore in 2020 before declaring early for the draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with the 87th overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Green started all 15 games he appeared in as a rookie, playing center for Pittsburgh and logging 96% of the offense's snaps that season. He was later traded to the Houston Texans in August 2023, though a torn meniscus limited his impact there.
2025 season recap
Green signed with the Buffalo Bills in March 2025 but was released in final cuts and re-signed to the practice squad. The Cleveland Browns claimed him off Buffalo's practice squad on December 24, 2025, giving him a fresh opportunity up front heading into 2026.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Kendrick Green
- Pro Football Reference: Kendrick Green
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Guard
- Group
- injuredReserveOrOut
- College
- Illinois
- Hometown
- Peoria, IL, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- day-to-day
