Zach

Banner

Banner won the starting job at right tackle in 2020 but tore his ACL in the opening week. He was unable to take the job back from Chukwuma Okorafor upon returning in 2021. He started two games during his three-year stint with the Steelers. Banner should be able to find a one-year deal as backup right tackle this offseason.

Tuitt did not practice at any point in the offseason so this move doesn’t come as much of a surprise. He will miss at least three games, as will running back Anthony McFarland and offensive lineman Zach Banner. They used the three roster spots to sign offensive linemen Rashaad Coward and B.J. Finney and cornerback Arthur Maulet. Tuitt is coming off a career year that saw him hit 11 sacks and 10 TFLs. At 27 years old, Tuitt should still have a few prime years left if he comes off injured reserve unscathed.

Banner actually won the team’s starting right tackle spot in training camp last year before tearing his right ACL in the second half of the regular season opener. He’s expected to be fully recovered by August, likely forcing fellow tackle Chukwuma Okorafor to the left side of the line if the latter chooses to re-sign, too.

He’ll be moved to season-ending injured reserve in the coming days. Already short starters in the trenches with David DeCastro (knee) still recovering and his replacement, Stephen Wisniewski, suffering a torn pectoral on Monday night, Pittsburgh will revert to rookie RG Kevin Dotson and RT Chukwuma Okorafor in the interim. It’s a disastrous situation for Benny Snell, who is expected to replace James Conner (ankle) in the short-term.

2019 right tackle Matt Feiler is sliding to left guard to replace retired All-Pro Ramon Foster. A third-year third-rounder, Okorafor has made four career starts while 26-year-old journeyman Banner has made just one. Still only 22, Okorafor is far more projectable after only taking up the game of football as a high school junior. If neither player pans out, Stefen Wisniewski could man left guard and shift Feiler back to tackle.

Banner quickly fell out of favor in Indianapolis after being selected with the No. 137 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but he was active in Pittsburgh for 14 games last year. A depth option with elite size (6'8/360), Banner will only start if there are injuries or suspensions.

Banner (6’8/353) played basketball as a freshman before taking up football full time and making 38 starts, mostly at right tackle. He was voted first-team All-Pac 12 by the conference’s coaches as a junior and senior. Gargantuan with long arms (34 7/8") and huge hands (10 ¾"), Banner overwhelmed opponents as a college run blocker but struggled in pass protection, where Banner’s height can work against him. Conditioning is also a concern after Banner ballooned near 400 pounds at times in college. While Banner’s run-blocking prowess is intriguing, he is a boom-bust prospect who could develop into a plus starter, or fall out of the league in a few years. He is unlikely to contribute as a rookie.

A mountainous 6-foot-8, 353 pounds, Banner is unsurprisingly being listed as a tackle by the Colts. Banner has tree-like arms and hands to match his monster frame, but has struggled with his conditioning. His rookie season is likely to be an NFL-acclimation year.

The No. 137 overall pick of last year’s draft by the Colts, Banner was waived before appearing in eight games for the Browns. The fact that he’s getting cut loose at this stage of the offseason by the Panthers bodes poorly for his NFL future.

The Colts’ No. 137 overall pick in last year’s draft, Banner was waived by Indy mid-season. He also made appearances with the Browns and Panthers before Carolina cut ties with him, as well. The Steelers have not announced a corresponding roster move yet.