Former [Pittsburgh Steelers](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/) offensive tackle [Zach Banner](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/2026/02/former-steelers-player-has-words-for-james-harrison-shut-your-mouth-about-coach-t.html) has retired from the NFL, he announced on social media. After tearing his ACL in 2020, Banner attempted to make an NFL comeback, but was never signed by a team despite multiple workouts across the NFL.
Banner has launched his own podcast and is getting into the media world following retirement. On his first day of retirement, he flew back to Pittsburgh from Los Angeles, his first time in the city since the Steelers released him.
Banner was with the Steelers from 2018 to 2021, rising from unheralded fringe roster player into the tackle eligible position. In 2020, he won the starting right tackle job but played just one game before being lost for the season due to a torn ACL.
A fourth-round pick out of USC in the 2017 NFL Draft, Banner did not last long with the Indianapolis Colts. In 2017, he went from the Colts to the Cleveland Browns and eventually to the Carolina Panthers to start 2018 before the Steelers scooped him up.
Banner spent the 2021 season with the Steelers after returning from his knee injury, but was released in 2022. He signed with the Houston Roughnecks in 2025, hoping to showcase he could still be an NFL level player in the UFL.