Zach Banner will become one of the main offensive linemen going into the 2021 season. Tomlin feels Banner can help get this offensive line going and that is why the Steelers re-signed Banner to a two-year contract. They feel Banner has made remarkable progress from his ACL tear in 2020. The problem is the Steelers will be walking into the 2021 season without their veteran center who has decided to retire in the offseason.
Maurkice Pouncey was an integral part of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will be missed tremendously going forward, but he felt it was time to give up the game of football. Banner acknowledged Pouncey in a new article on Steelers.com.
Banner on Pouncey: "You will never replace 53, but we can do our best trying to," said Banner. "When I say we, it's a unit. The offensive line is not an individual thing, it never has been and never will be. The successful ones, all five are good at what they do in five different ways. Our challenge is not to just step up and be more consistent on and off the field, but to put in an effort this offseason to respond. His absence is going to be huge when we go into OTAs, whether that is virtual or in person. It's going to be the same thing in camp. It's going to feel weird at first. We are going to have to get used to it and do everything we can to chase another ring."
Zach Banner is right the Steelers offensive line will need to find a way to respond this offseason because in 2020 they were atrocious in regards to the run. Pouncey's absence will be huge, but the Steelers can overcome it by bringing in either a veteran center or draft their future center. I would rather have Steeler Players who want to be committed 100% on the football field rather than not be committed at all. That is why Pouncey made the decision to retire from the game of football and it was for the right reason for him.
More Banner on Pouncey: "If anything, it's a blueprint we will follow. The offensive line has always gotten together once a week and chowed, had great experiences with each other on and off the field. We're going to carry what we are doing at work off the field, carry on that tradition. It will be at my house now. Whether we have to do it in the film room, or off the field, it's a brotherhood. I am blessed and excited to be a part of it."