PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - A day after Steelers coach Mike Tomlin publicly named his starting right tackle, the winner, Zach Banner, made it a point to say his work is nowhere near done.
"We can all celebrate and (receive) congrats now, but if I go out on Monday night and suck I'm done," Banner said. "That's just the bottom line. I want to get to Monday night first. I want to play first. I want to put actions on tape."
Banner, 26, beat out Chukwuma Okorafor for the job. Upon learning the news, he made a phone call that was low-key.
"My parents have been in this business of football with me since second grade. When we're able to add something to the quote-unquote trophy case or my resume, it's always like 'yay,' but now it's on to my next goal."
Banner's journey from an overweight and out-of-shape prospect who was released by three teams is well-documented. After seeing limited playing time at tackle in 2018, his first season with the Steelers, Banner (6 foot 8, 335 pounds) lined up as a tight end in the short-yardage run game throughout the 2019 season. Though he would be announced as an eligible receiver, Banner didn't get a chance to catch a pass, and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said Thursday it's not going to happen now.
"Yeah, it's officially dead, for sure," said Fichtner.
And while Banner won't be one of Ben Roethlisberger's red zone targets, Fichtner couldn't be happier for how things have worked out for him.
"Zach is that perfect example of a guy that took care of his body and committed himself to a routine. He actually was just fanatical about trying to do the right things physically. And not just in the off-season, I'm talking about every single day. There isn't a day that I don't see him and Pouncey in here trying to beat me in in the morning. It's just a credit to him. He brings an energy level. He's excited about the opportunities to play and show toughness."
Banner will line up against Giants defensive end Dextor Lawrence on Monday.