Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Zach Banner has officially announced his retirement from the NFL, bringing an end to a career defined as much by resilience as opportunity.
The former fourth-round pick made the announcement today on his podcast, confirming that his playing days are over after last appearing in an NFL game during the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The decision closes the chapter on a four-year career that included stops with the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and the Steelers.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Lineman Reflects on Career Cut Short by Injury
The former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft but never played a regular-season snap for the organization. Zach Banner was waived on cutdown day before his rookie campaign began.
The Cleveland Browns quickly signed him, and he appeared in eight games during the 2017 season, primarily contributing as a backup and special teamer. However, it was in Pittsburgh where Banner found stability and a pathway toward a starting role.
After joining the Steelers in 2018, the American appeared in 22 games over three seasons and gradually earned increased responsibility. His breakthrough came in 2020 when he secured the starting right tackle position.
That opportunity, however, was short-lived.
“It was my first time being the starting right tackle and I tear up my knee in the fourth quarter,” Zach Banner told Steelers Depot’s Joe Clark. “My spirit’s broken. Absolutely loved that city. Absolutely loved what we were doing.”
The torn ACL suffered during the 2020 season proved to be the defining setback of his career. While he worked to return, Zach Banner struggled to regain full health and consistency. The Steelers released him during the 2022 offseason, effectively ending his tenure in Pittsburgh.
Comeback Attempts Fall Short for Former Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Lineman
Despite not playing since 2021, Zach Banner did not immediately step away from the game. In 2025, he attempted an NFL comeback and received tryout opportunities with the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs. However, neither stint resulted in a contract.
Those unsuccessful bids ultimately paved the way for his decision to retire.
Across four seasons, the former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman appeared in 30 games with two career starts. While the numbers may not reflect a lengthy tenure as a starter, Banner carved out a respected presence in locker rooms and among fan bases, particularly in Pittsburgh.
His time with the Steelers remains central to his professional identity, especially given how close he came to solidifying himself as a long-term starter before injury intervened.
The abrupt shift from earning a starting role to facing rehabilitation tested both his physical durability and emotional resilience. His own words captured the weight of that moment, revealing how deeply the injury impacted him beyond the field.
What’s Next After NFL Retirement
With football behind him, Banner has already indicated his next step. The former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman intends to transition into media, leveraging his personality and experience to build a post-playing career behind the microphone.
His retirement announcement on his podcast indicates that shift, signaling a move toward broadcasting and content creation rather than a continued pursuit of playing opportunities.
For the Steelers, Zach Banner’s retirement closes the book on a player who briefly embodied the organization’s physical identity at right tackle before circumstances altered his trajectory. For Banner, it represents acceptance after years of attempting to reclaim momentum following a devastating knee injury.
In professional sports, careers are often defined by moments. For the former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman, that defining moment came in the fourth quarter of a 2020 game, when a torn ACL halted what he described as a dream opportunity in a city he “absolutely loved.”
Now, with his playing days officially over, Zach Banner turns the page, leaving behind a career shaped by perseverance and moving forward toward a new chapter in the media world.
