Steelers OL Trai Turner 'excited' about fresh start after rough 2020

Offensive guard Trai Turner earned Pro Bowl nods each season from 2015 through 2019 with the Carolina Panthers but was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in March 2020. That transaction went poorly for both player and club. Turner missed seven games due to a groin injury and was ultimately released this offseason. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers took a flier on Turner via a one-year "prove it" contract last month after the team parted ways with veteran David DeCastro, and Turner told NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" on Tuesday he's ready to reclaim his best form. 

"I'm feeling like myself," Turner explained, per Kevin Patra of the league's website. "I'm excited about the season. I'm ecstatic to get to Pittsburgh and just get to work. I just can't wait, man. Last season was tough. It was different. It was one of those things where, you know, it was a lot of things that happened that I couldn't control, but hey, it's a new year, new beginning with a new team and I'm excited about it."

Pro Football Focus graded Turner the worst right guard (34.8) for the 2020 campaign among eligible players. The 28-year-old is now tasked with protecting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is reportedly "obsessed" with following a strict diet and lowering his weight ahead of the upcoming regular season.