Sometimes players need a change of scenery in order to get themselves back on track. Maybe they don't fit the scheme of the team they are on, or have a situation where the players around them haven't helped them put up strong production.
Every team sees some players succeed once they move on to another team, and the Steelers are no different. While some players find out that the grass isn't always greener, others thrive in new situations. Three players who did not see much success in Pittsburgh are experiencing strong seasons here in 2023.
3. Kevin Dotson
Prior to the start of the season, the Steelers traded former starting guard Kevin Dotson and two draft picks to the Los Angeles Rams, in exchange for two more draft selections. Dotson showed tons of promise as a rookie in Pittsburgh, however, he regressed after his rookie season and was no longer the player the Steelers were counting on to start at guard.
After signing James Daniels, Isaac Seumalo, and Nate Herbig the last two offseasons, the Steelers didn't have any room for Dotson, who doesn't possess the versatility to play other positions on the line other than guard that's needed for a backup offensive lineman. Being able to move up in two rounds of the draft including into the fourth round was a huge win for the Steelers as they had no place for him anyway, and were able to get a strong return for him.
However, the Steelers weren't the only winners in this move, as the Rams found a very strong starter on their offensive line. Despite starting the season as a backup, that didn't deter Dotson, as he has started the last few games and excelled for the Rams in the process. He appears locked in as a starter on their offensive line and gets the opportunity for a revenge game this weekend against the Steelers, and can show them what they are missing out on.
While Dotson's time in Pittsburgh didn't end great, seeing him succeed is not something Steelers fans should be upset about, as he didn't have a place on the team any longer. Instead, this could just end up being a win-win trade as the Rams acquired a starter on their offensive line, and the Steelers added some valuable draft capital for a player, that they might've ended up releasing anyway.