5 Steelers players that fans should be rooting for during training camp

Zach Banner

Zach Banner was in a similar situation last year as he is this year. He had ascended the ladder to become the starting right tackle after facing so much adversity in his career. Then, the worst-case scenario happened to Banner as he tore up his knee in the first game and was lost for the season. The team re-signed him though, and now he figures to be the starting right or left tackle for the entire 2021 season.

Banner’s initial journey to the Steelers was one that made him easy to root for. He was drafted in the fourth round out of USC by the Colts and was cut outright after camp. He found his way onto the Browns, where his stay was also short-lived due to his weight issues. It seemed like Banner was going to be out of the league entirely due to his weight issues before the team signed him. He took a while to see the field but has seemingly transformed his game and mentality to better himself and his game overall.

Now, coming off of his injury, Banner is set to regain his starting role with the team. His journey to this point has been incredible and assuming he stays healthy he will have the opportunity to show the league the talent that he possesses. His journey with the Steelers alone has been incredible, transforming his body, endearing himself to the fans by being the swing tackle, before finally earning a starting job with the team. Fully healthy, he figures to be a critical face on this new-look line.