Recently, we took a look at some of the guys that had the ability to lead the Steelers offense. Like any given year, someone will shine and be considered the team’s offensive player of the year (you can read that article linked below). Today we will look at the opposite, all offseason long the Steelers offense has been dragged through the mud by the national media. So we will look at some of the players that could hold this team back from reaching their potential.

Regardless of how many expectations they overcome, a few players have the potential to knock the Steelers offensive train clear off the tracks. Below are some of the favorites to become the Steelers worst offensive player here in the 2021 season.

Chukwuma Okorafor

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Offensive lineman are going to be featured a lot on this list, because the unit is shrouded in question marks. Okorafor is making the jump back to his more natural spot of left tackle, and should be a better player for it. He is replacing Alejandro Villanueva who struggled mightily in 2020. If Okorafor can step in and outplay what Big Al brought to the team last year, then he will be far from a liability. But he needs to prove he can be consistent. You can also fairly assess Okorafor as the worst run blocker in the Steelers current lineup, he will need to improve that side of his game for Najee Harris to hit his true potential.

Trai Turner

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Trai Turner was one of the NFL’s best offensive lineman during his time in Carolina, but his career was derailed after one year in Los Angeles where injuries wreaked havoc on his game. This one is simple, can Turner be healthy for 17 games (+ Playoffs) or will his injury problems persist and make him a liability in protection? Turner will either go down as the Steelers move of the offseason, or as the guy that gets Ben Roethlisberger tee’d off on.

Zach Banner

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Zach Banner is finally healthy after suffering a torn ACL in the Steelers Week 1 matchup in 2020. In about 50 snaps Banner was a road grader, but struggled a bit in pass pro. The question here comes down to whether Banner can regain form and take another stride in his pass blocking skills. He has fought for and won the right tackle spot in the past, but Banner now has to prove he has gotten better even though he spent his offseason rehabbing.

Ben Roethlisberger

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Ben Roethlisberger featured in both the bested worst players lists. But, with so many questions surrounding the veteran quarterback his inclusion in both lists felt fitting. If Ben Roethlisberger shows an inability to run play action and continues to throw the football too quickly he could be a liability to this team. Ben has to be the guy that takes hits and works the ball down the field to be at his best. He’s also been battling injuries for a number of years now, but Ben has struggled with arthritic knees for some time now. Ben needs to be healthy and more aggressive to be his best, does he still have it in him?

But what do you think? Who will be the Steelers worst offensive player in 2021? Hit up the poll below and put your thoughts down in the comments!