Mark Barron wore the green dot for communication last year. Jerry O says this year's wearer of that hasn't been decided yet: "The green dot is still up for grabs. That's for the coach Tomlin interview. I don't control the green dot."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 31, 2020
For years, no on-field communication was permitted between players and coaches. When the play clock was shortened from 45 seconds to 40 seconds in 1993, teams unnecessarily burning timeouts became a league-wide issue.
As a result, quarterbacks were equipped with in-helmet radios in 1994 so that they could communicate with coaches on the sidelines. A green sticker marks the helmet of the player linked with a two-way microphone radio set.
As of 2008, that includes defensive players. Due to the number of defensive substitutions, more than one defensive player can don the green dot.
Former Steelers linebacker Mark Barron handled play-calling duties last season. Inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky told the media on Monday that the green dot is still up for grabs. “That’s for the Coach Tomlin interview. I don’t control the green dot.”
Who do you think should be the bearer of the green dot on defense in 2020? Let us know in the comments below.
