Trai Turner calls his opportunity with the Steelers a “silver lining”

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Trai Turner after releasing David DeCastro, and Turner can’t be happier with how things played out.

The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in a precarious situation this offseason. When the organization was hoping their All-Pro guard David DeCastro would anchor a very young, and inexperienced, offensive line, they found out his ankle which hobbled him in 2020 would require another surgery.

The writing was on the wall for DeCastro’s time in Pittsburgh to be over, and it resulted in his release. Suddenly a massive hole existed along the offensive line. Some might say the Steelers were fortunate a veteran lineman was available, and that lineman was Trai Turner.

However, Turner was having to overcome some of his own injury issues after an injury plagued 2020 season in Los Angeles resulted in his own release. Turner doesn’t see his time with the Chargers, or his new venture with the Steelers, as either challenging or frustrating. He sees his new opportunity as a silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud. Recently, Turner joined Jim Rome on the Jim Rome Show to talk about the Steelers and talk about his play along the offensive line.

Here is what he had to say about his new opportunity in Pittsburgh.

“There’s always a silver lining. Last year was a good bit of adversity for me, but I’ve been blessed to play in the league for 8 years and go to 5 Pro Bowls. I’ve been able to stay primarily healthy, for the most part, and that’s something I pride myself on.”

As it pertains to the injuries he suffered last year, he realizes it is part of the game.

“It happens, you know, it’s part of the game. I took it in stride, and didn’t go the way I wanted to go, but I’m just glad I had an opportunity to put on tape what I wanted to put on tape.”

The biggest question on the minds of Steelers fans is Turner’s overall health. Did Pittsburgh just bring in another guard who can’t stay on the field? According to Turner, he is healthy and ready to go.

“I feel good, I feel healthy, and just want to stay healthy and do what I do on the field.”

Speaking of doing what he does, Turner was able to give some great insight into the mind of a pulling guard at the NFL level. He described what it feels like to pull and hit somebody in space after Rome asked about it.

“Feels great! When you can get out in space, and able to maneuver, and take somebody out. It feels pretty good. I pride myself on being able to run in space. I pride myself on being able to go hit people in space, and not being afraid to hit somebody.

“That’s really what it’s about. I think that’s the initial start of football, going out there with shoulder pads and helmet and hitting somebody. I’m excited to get the opportunity to do that.”

Hopefully Turner can bring some of that nastiness in the run game to Pittsburgh as the team hopes to spark their running game with Najee Harris, offensive coordinator Matt Canada and a rebuilt offensive line which has the look of a run-blocking unit.

He has to stay healthy first, and if he can there is a good chance he will bring some of that nasty to an offensive line which could desperately use it.

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the 2021 regular season.

To see more from Turner’s spot on the Jim Rome Show, check out the video below: