PITTSBURGH — Zach Frazier kicked off his inaugural season with the Pittsburgh Steelers facing a challenge he was not accustomed to on the football field. The rookie center found himself overwhelmed with thoughts. “At first, I had to kind of really think through things,” he shared. The volume of information he needed to process during his early months as a professional player proved to be quite overwhelming, especially during the onset of training camp.
Fast forward five months and Frazier’s adjustments have become much more manageable. Although he was always anticipated to step into the starting role this season, an injury to Nate Herbig just before the regular season began hastened that transition. While his personal adjustment felt hectic, it did not appear chaotic from the outside.
Despite an ankle injury that kept him off the field for two games and left him using a scooter to traverse the locker room, Frazier has showcased himself as a capable replacement in a position known for its strength in Steelers history, which includes legendary players like Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Maurkice Pouncey, who could potentially receive a Hall of Fame nod.
Hailing from Fairmont, West Virginia, roughly 90 miles from Acrisure Stadium, Frazier was already familiar with the legacy of the franchise when he was chosen with the 51st overall pick in late April. However, he maintained a grounded approach, expressing, “I don’t really like looking ahead,” as he believes that focusing too far into the future can cause distractions from the present.
During the early part of the season, he sought counsel from veteran players Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels, but both suffered injuries that sidelined them. Seumalo faced a month-long recovery for a partially torn pectoral muscle, while Daniels experienced a season-ending Achilles tear in September. Additionally, first-round selection Troy Fautanu had limited presence due to a knee injury that ended his season early, leaving Frazier as a steadying presence within an offensive line faced with continuous changes. Fortunately, as the season has progressed, both Frazier and fellow rookie Mason McCormick have shown consistent growth.
Reflecting on the early challenges, Frazier noted, “It was kind of crazy. In the beginning of the year, everyone was dropping with injuries. Unfortunately, it’s just, you know, next man up. … I had to come in. Mason had to step up. And then I feel like we’ve kind of found a groove.”
Nevertheless, with the playoffs approaching, there remains work to do. Despite securing a postseason berth weeks ago, the Steelers (10-6) find themselves amid a three-game losing streak as they prepare for a matchup against Cincinnati (8-8) this Saturday.
Interestingly, the time Frazier missed due to his ankle injury might serve him well during the playoffs, as he feels relatively fresh 14 games into the season, even though most of his fingers were wrapped in extensive tape while speaking on Tuesday. For a player who was a regular in West Virginia’s lineup, missing two games felt particularly challenging.
“That was tough on me,” he admitted. “It’s definitely not a good feeling, being out and not being able to go. But then, you know, once I got back in against Washington, started clicking again.”
The rhythm has been inconsistent in recent games, but the outlook for the offensive line appears promising. Tackle Broderick Jones is concluding a second year of steady improvement, while Fautanu is expected to return in 2025. McCormick has shown a fierce competitiveness that meshes well with Frazier, allowing them to endure their rookie season struggles collectively.
“It’s just nice to have those guys and, you know, go through together with them,” Frazier remarked, acknowledging the bond he has developed with his teammates.
In other team updates, running back Jaylen Warren (ribs) and quarterback Russell Wilson (rest) were both limited in practice on Tuesday. Linebacker Cole Holcomb returned to practice after being sidelined since Week 9 due to a knee injury, although he remains on injured reserve.
