Kevin Dotson needs to be Steelers starter at LG by start of the season

Kevin Dotson apparently hasn’t proven anything yet, but here’s why he needs to be the starting left guard for the Steelers to start the 2021 season. 

Kevin Dotson is finally participating fully at Steelers training camp practices after spending the first few weeks at Heinz Field doing individual work. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite get the warm welcome back onto the football field that he was hoping for.

Despite his impressive play over his 4 starts (and a handful of other appearances) at guard for the Steelers during his rookie season, head coach Mike Tomlin shut down the notion of Dotson being the guaranteed starter at left guard. Dotson was inserted as the second-team left guard during team sessions.

In fact, he didn’t have many kind words to share when asked about the second-year sensation. Here’s what Tomlin had to say when asked why Dotson wasn’t earning first-team reps, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN:

"“He has done nothing to earn first-team reps. What are we talking about? He’s a second year guy who hasn’t worked.”"

Tomlin’s statement was short and to the point. Read into it if you choose, but I would err on the side of caution here, as there could be several reasons why Kevin Dotson wasn’t immediately inserted into the lineup with the starters.

While I have to admit that I thought Dotson looked impressive after going back and watching film from his rookie season, Tomlin may just want to motivate him upon his return to working with the team. There were rumors earlier this offseason that the coaching staff wasn’t pleased with Dotson for some reason or another, but it’s hard to say how much truth there was to that.

Kevin Dotson needs to start for the Steelers

Whatever the reason to place him with the second unit, Kevin Dotson needs to be starting at left guard for the Steelers when the 2021 season kicks off.

Pittsburgh had an outrageous amount of turnover along the offensive line this past offseason with four quality starting veterans leaving via free agency or retirement. In their place, the team drafted center Kendrick Green and offensive tackle Dan Moore, but both young players have struggled at times during Steelers training camp.

Rashaad Coward was also brought in during free agency. He’s the player who is currently earning all of the first-team reps on the team ahead of Dotson. Unsurprisingly, Coward hasn’t been the most consistent of sorts and is part of the reason for the struggles on the offensive line in team sessions.

This is a situation that could only prove to get worse as the season kicks off. If Kevin Dotson is the better player (and I thoroughly believe he is), then he needs to be playing when the Steelers kick off their 2021 season against the Buffalo Bills.

The fact that Dotson has yet to take any first-team reps at training camp so far this summer is concerning enough. Let’s hope Dotson proves his worth soon and moves into the starting lineup. We all know this young offensive line unit could use as many snaps together before the season as they can get.