Zach Frazier entered his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers facing a challenge he had rarely encountered on the football field: overthinking.“At first, I had to really think through things,” Frazier admitted, reflecting on the overwhelming amount of information he absorbed during the early days of training camp.
However, five months into the season, the game has slowed down for the second-round pick. Although Frazier was always expected to become the starting center, an injury to Nate Herbig just before the regular season accelerated his transition into the role.
Despite the internal adjustments, Frazier’s performance has been steady. Aside from an ankle injury that sidelined him for two games, during which he navigated the locker room on a scooter, he has demonstrated the capabilities expected of a successor to a storied position in Steelers history. The franchise has seen Hall of Famers like Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson, along with future Hall of Famer Maurkice Pouncey, man the center position.
Growing up in Fairmont, West Virginia—about 90 miles from Acrisure Stadium—Frazier was well aware of the franchise’s legacy when the Steelers selected him with the 51st overall pick in April. Nevertheless, he maintains a grounded approach to his career. “I don’t really like looking ahead,” he said, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the present to avoid losing track of his goals.
In the early part of the season, Frazier leaned on veteran teammates Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels for support. However, both players suffered injuries—Seumalo missed a month with a partially torn pectoral muscle, while Daniels was lost for the year due to an Achilles tear. Additionally, first-round pick Troy Fautanu managed only one start before a season-ending knee injury, leaving Frazier as a stabilizing force on a constantly changing offensive line.
“It was kind of crazy,” Frazier noted. “In the beginning of the year, everyone was dropping with injuries. Unfortunately, it’s just the next man up. I had to come in, and Mason had to step up. I feel like we’ve kind of found a groove.”
As the Steelers (10-6) prepare for their playoff run, they are currently on a three-game losing streak, with a crucial matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) approaching. Frazier’s midseason ankle injury may have inadvertently provided him with some much-needed rest, allowing him to remain relatively fresh as the season nears its end. However, he was seen on Tuesday with multiple fingers on his right hand heavily taped.
Missing those two games was challenging for Frazier, who had been a consistent presence at West Virginia, except for a bowl game he missed due to a broken leg suffered in the regular-season finale. “That was tough on me,” he recalled. “It’s definitely not a good feeling, being out and not being able to go. But once I got back in against Washington, I started clicking again.”
While recent performances have been inconsistent, the future looks promising for the Steelers’ offensive line. Tackle Broderick Jones is showing continuous improvement in his second year, Fautanu is expected to return in 2025, and rookie Mason McCormick has exhibited a competitive edge. Frazier believes that their shared experiences will benefit the line in the long run. “It’s just nice to have those guys and go through this together,” he said.
NOTES: Running back Jaylen Warren (ribs) and quarterback Russell Wilson (resting) were limited in practice on Tuesday. Linebacker Cole Holcomb returned to practice after missing time since Week 9 due to a knee injury but remains on injured reserve.
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