Category: Zach Frazier

Steelers rookie misses cut for OROY finalist

Zach Frazier had a tremendous rookie season as the Steelers starting center.

We understand when it comes to these end-of-the-season awards, it’s tough to get any attention if you don’t play a stat-centered position. So we get it that the five finalists for Offensive Rookie of the Year are all skill-position players.

But we would be remiss if we didn’t get Pittsburgh Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier his props for an incredible rookie campaign. Frazier was plugged into he starting lineup just two games into the season and after 15 starts, graded out as the fifth-best center in the NFL.

Not just rookie centers. Among all centers. Frazier played 975 snaps and allowed only one sack. The Steelers are known for their elite centers from Mike Webster to Dermontti Dawson and Maurkice Pouncey. Frazier looks like he’s in line to be the next great Steelers center.

 

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Steelers have one player make the PFWA All-Rookie team

Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier was among 27 rookies named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier was among 27 rookies named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team on Tuesday.

General manager Omar Khan made a terrific selection in Frazier, fresh off a slew of annual end-of-season awards. The Steelers offensive line is a young unit, and Frazier brought what was desperately needed four seasons after Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement.

Frazier had an impressive season, stepping into the starting role in Week 1 following an injury to veteran Nate Herbig. Despite missing two games due to an ankle injury, Frazier demonstrated remarkable consistency and skill, earning the team’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In 1,021 offensive snaps, he allowed only one sack, contributing significantly to the Steelers’ 10-7 record and playoff berth.


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Three Steelers earn spots on ESPN’s 2024 NFL All-Rookie team

Steelers rookies Zach Frazier, Payton Wilson, and Mason McCormick earned All-Rookie honors from ESPN.

Pittsburgh Steelers fans remember just a few seasons ago when the linebacker, guard, and center positions were three of the biggest areas of concern. However, the Steelers’ 2024 draft class brought a long-term answer to all three positions—and ESPN is giving credit where it’s due.

ESPN’s Ben Solak has selected C Zach Frazier as the First-Team All-Rookie center, while LB Payton Wilson and OG Mason McCormick have earned Second-Team All-Rookie selections.

Frazier was chosen as the recipient of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award in 2024—an award given annually to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ best rookie.

Wilson was considered one of the biggest steals of the 2024 draft, as he was reportedly garnering first-round consideration before news of his missing ACL caused him to slide to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round.

McCormick was a much-needed surprise this season, as the rookie stepped up in the absence of OG James Daniels in a big way—anchoring the right guard position from Week 5 onward.

Fans can eagerly anticipate what 2025 has in store for these standout Steelers rookies, as it appears the sky is the limit for Frazier and Wilson.

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Who was the Steelers’ true offensive MVP in 2024?

Zach Frazier emerged as the true MVP of the Steelers’ offense in 2024, anchoring the line and solidifying the center position as a rookie.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 regular season has come and gone, and while fans eagerly anticipate what the 2025 offseason may bring, it is important to recognize the performances that stood out the most for the Steel City this season.

After former All-Pro C Maurkice Pouncey retired at the end of the 2020 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers struggled to fill the void he left behind, with Kendrick Green and Mason Cole unable to step into the former Pro Bowler’s shoes.

However, for the first time in four seasons, the Steelers no longer have any concerns about the center position—all thanks to their 2024 second-round selection, C Zach Frazier from West Virginia.

Frazier’s ability to pass protect was outstanding. Through 15 regular season games, the rookie center gave up only two sacks and two QB hits. His dominance in run blocking is where he truly excelled, opening up interior run lanes with ease for RBs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

While the Pittsburgh offense fell apart in the second half of the season, one player consistently performed at an elite level week after week: that player is none other than Frazier—who was without a doubt, the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive MVP this season.

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C Zach Frazier named Steelers Rookie of the Year

Zach Frazier earns the Joe Greene Great Performance Award after an impressive rookie season as the Steelers’ center.

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie C Zach Frazier’s outstanding performance on the offensive line this season hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he has been named the 2024 recipient of the ‘Joe Greene Great Performance Award.’

The award—also regarded as the Steelers Rookie of the Year—is selected by the Pittsburgh Chapter of Pro Football Writers of America and is annually presented to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top rookie.

Frazier, drafted out of West Virginia with the 51st pick of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft, has more than exceeded expectations for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Out of 914 snaps at center, the rookie has allowed only one sack while also performing as the NFL’s fifth-best center, according to PFF.

When anyone turns on the tape, his pass blocking is excellent for a rookie, but his dominance in the run game is where he truly excels.

Congratulations are in order for Frazier, but the celebration will likely be on hiatus, as the team must prepare quickly for an important Week 18 AFC North showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4 at 5:00 PM EST.

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Center Ryan McCollum showcases resilience in buildup to Week 7

C Ryan McCollum proves why everyone should follow their dreams, and to continue to work hard to make all things possible.

While losing dominant rookie center Zach Frazier to injury in Week 6 was far from ideal, the wise words of the next-man-up, center Ryan McCollum, surely instill confidence in both Steelers fans and the organization alike.

McCollum has played in 19 career games after going undrafted in 2021. His lone start came during his rookie year with the Detroit Lions, and he has bounced on and off the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad since. However, now set for his second career start in relief of Frazier, McCollum has never let the hard times and uncertainty this game brings get him down.

This is exactly the type of attitude you want out a backup who is looking to make the most of his opportunity.  While the Steelers offensive line is extremely banged up, losing 3 starters to injury so far in 2024, the team appears to be in capable hands with McCollum looking to spearhead the Pittsburgh rushing attack.  The Steelers will lean on his efforts and the offense overall, as the team faces a stout New York Jets’ defense in Week 7.

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Steelers O-line can’t catch break after injury to standout rookie

Health has not been with the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in 2024, and Zach Frazier is the unit’s latest casualty. 

Health has not been with the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in 2024, and Zach Frazier is the unit’s latest casualty.

Pittsburgh has suffered several significant O-line injuries, including losing starting center Nate Herbig (shoulder), guard James Daniels (Achilles) and rookie tackle Troy Fautanu (knee).

According to Fox Sports’ insider Jordan Schultz, it’s a week-to-week ankle injury for the standout rookie. Given the look of the play in which the injury occurred, it’s actually good news.

The Steelers have been desperate for a franchise center since Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement, and the second-round Frazier has fit the bill. Six games into what could be a whopper of a career, Frazier is rightfully heralded as the line’s best player. His 82.2 grade from Pro Football Focus — a rookie center best — is highlighted by zero sacks allowed.

According to the 33rd Team, Frazier allowed no pressures on 26 pass attempts by Raiders quarterback Aiden O’Connell before exiting the game.

The timing of their bye week — two games after back-to-back prime-time matchups versus the state of New York — could come in handy. The Steelers have a brutal stretch of games that Frazier needs to be at his best after their Week 9 break.

Mike Tomlin could shed more light on Frazier’s injury during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1845942209201192961

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NFL Network analyst breaks down Zach Frazier’s elite performance in Week 2

Rookie Zach Fraizer has been a huge upgrade at center this seaosn.

There were plenty of both positive and negative takeaways from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 2 victory over the Denver Broncos.  The offense seemed to be off to a hot start in the first half, only to sputter out and be almost nonexistent in the second half of football.  Brian Baldinger, an NFL Network analyst known for his breakdown of player performance, shed light on what he believes was best performance on the Steelers’ offense.

https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1835852522470158495

Baldinger frequently referenced Zach Frazier’s ability to put defenders on the ground, highlighting one key play in which Najee Harris broke free for 9 yards thanks to an elite block by Frazier.

Zach Frazier, a 2024 second-round pick out of West Virginia, is outperforming expectations thus far into the Steelers’ 2024 campaign.  The outstanding rookie center will look to keep his great performances coming as the Steelers prepare for their home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday, September 22nd, at 1 PM EST.

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Steelers rookie to start with Nate Herbig’s season officially over

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier moves into the starting lineup with Nate Herbig on injured reserve.

The presumed starting center of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 offensive line is done for the season. Nate Herbig, who repped with the first team all of training camp, has landed on injured reserve with a torn rotator cuff.

Multiple reports earlier this week speculated that Herbig would be out for an extended time, though Mike Tomlin awaited a second opinion.

With Herbig sidelined comes an earlier-than-anticipated opportunity for Zach Frazier. The rookie center out of West Virginia has played solid in Herbig’s absence and has been the star of an offensive line that’s started poorly this preseason.

Frazier was on the field for 83 snaps in the Steelers’ first two preseason games and has not allowed a sack in 43 pass plays. According to Joe Rutter of TribLive, Frazier was on the field more than any Steelers offensive or defensive player on Saturday versus the Buffalo Bills. He remained in after Justin Fields replaced Russell Wilson and played eight of the Steelers’ 10 series.

Until a suffering broken leg in the Mountaineer’s final game of the 2023 college football season last November, Frazier was initially projected as a first-round selection.

Frazier will now have the opportunity to show 31 other teams that they were wrong to let him slide.

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Steelers rookie Zach Frazier gets nod with Nate Herbig sidelined for ‘extended period’

Steelers rookie C Zach Frazier is promoted to starter with veteran OL Nick Herbig injured.

Mike Tomlin is known for bringing his rookies along slowly, and that appeared to be his approach with rookie center Zach Frazier this season. But an injury to veteran offensive lineman Nate Herbig has foiled that plan.

Herbig worked with the first team throughout training camp until sustaining a shoulder injury in practice on Aug. 11.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote in a tweet that Herbig’s “significant” injury will sideline him for an extended period of time, if not the season.

The sixth-year lineman started the Steelers’ first preseason game last week and had a forgettable outing, mishandling two snaps that resulted in fumbles by quarterback Justin Fields.

Herbig’s injury cuts into the depth of Pittsburgh’s offensive line. Though Frazier was inevitably expected to become the starting center, Herbig was slated as the backup at both right and left guard and center.

Expect the Steelers to be working out offensive linemen this week to bolster their depth.

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