Zach Frazier is emerging as a key figure in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ young offensive line, a group the franchise is determined to develop for future success. Since 2022, the Steelers have heavily invested in building this core through the draft and free agency, aiming to establish a strong and consistent front on offense.

The Steelers focused their high draft capital on offensive linemen last year, selecting tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round, center Zach Frazier in the second round, and guard Mason McCormick in the fourth round. All three are expected to start this season, lining up from center to right tackle. Alongside third-year tackle Broderick Jones and new addition Isaac Seumalo, the Steelers believe this unit presents a solid foundation for the future.

Assembling and Developing a Promising Group

Frazier expressed the group’s commitment to growing and maintaining this core, stating,

“We want to build that core and we want to keep that core together for as long as we can and build on that,”

—Zach Frazier, Steelers center. The objective now is to develop these young linemen individually and as a cohesive unit, with a focus on continued improvement.

Despite their youth and limited experience, the offensive line group has made noticeable progress over the past year. Frazier reflected on reviewing film from the previous season, noting,

“The coaches pulled up some clips from last year. It’s cool to see how far we’ve come since that point. You could see a lot of improvement just from this time last year. We were rookies, kind of didn’t know what we were doing.”

—Zach Frazier, Steelers center.

Looking back, Frazier admitted there were moments of struggle but remains optimistic about continued growth. He said with a laugh,

“Yeah, it definitely wasn’t pretty at times. But it’s a good thing we got it cleaned up, and I think we still have a lot of room to clean up even more and keep improving.”

—Zach Frazier, Steelers center.

Challenges and Opportunities Within the Offensive Line

Last season, Zach Frazier stood out as one of the Steelers’ most reliable offensive linemen, starting all season from Day One. However, he acknowledges there is still significant work ahead for both himself and the entire group. A crucial factor this offseason has been the clarity each player has about their role and expectations, contrasting with the uncertainty they faced during their rookie seasons.

The Steelers’ offensive line encountered several hurdles last year. Nate Herbig initially held the starting center position until a season-ending injury gave Frazier the chance to step in. Troy Fautanu missed most of his rookie season due to injury, while Mason McCormick started the year as a backup before injuries pressured the team to rely on him more. Notably, the Steelers chose not to re-sign former guard James Daniels, likely influenced by McCormick’s promising development alongside Frazier.

Anticipating Progress as the Season Approaches

With Broderick Jones settling into the left tackle position and valuable preseason practice ahead, the Steelers aim to maximize the potential of their youthful offensive line. Fautanu will still need to prove himself on the field after a largely missed rookie year, but the group has demonstrated resilience and a willingness to improve together.

The emphasis on continuity and development within the offensive line signals Pittsburgh’s commitment to securing a foundation that supports both their running and passing games well into the future. Zach Frazier and the Steelers’ young offensive line core represent a crucial piece in that strategy, with hope high that they will continue to grow and succeed as a unit.