Tag: 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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Steelers 2024 rookie class ranks among best in NFL

The Steelers rookies did well last season in starting roles.

Oh, what could have been?

2024 was a strange year for the Pittsburgh Steelers and its rookies. Injuries cost the Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and wide receiver Roman Wilson. These were supposed to be the two impact rookies from this class.

Nevertheless, the rest of this group really stepped up and ended up ranking 8th among all rookie classes according to Pro Football Focus.

The top rookies for Pittsburgh were center Zach Frazier, guard Mason McCormick and linebacker Payton Wilson. Frazier and McCormick stepped in for injured starters and really gave the Steelers hope for what the future of the interior offensive line can look like.

Wilson finished fourth on the team in total tackles despite playing only half of the defensive snaps. Wilson in the lineup full-time in 2025 could be huge for a struggling Steelers run defense.

Hopefully the 2025 draft can treat the Steelers as well as 2024 did and Pittsburgh can finally get this franchise back on track.

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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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3 Steelers land on All-Rookie team

The Steelers had an excellent 2024 draft class including these three players.

If you looked at the 2024 NFL draft class for the Pittsburgh Steelers immediately after the draft, the two players we expected to see the biggest contributions from would have been offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and wide receiver Roman Wilson.

But thanks to injuries, Wilson and Fautanu haven’t been able to contribute at all. Yet somehow the Steelers landed three rookies on the 33rd Team’s All-Rookie Team for 2024.

On offense, center Zach Frazier and guard Mason McCormick both made the first team. Frazier has been the highest-graded rookie tackle this season and is in the top six of all centers in the NFL. The Steelers have a reputation for great centers and it’s clear Frazier is the latest.

For McCormick, he took over for James Daniels and continues to improve each week. McCormick suffered a broken hand in last week’s game and if he misses this week against the Baltimore Ravens, his presence will be missed.

Defensively, inside linebacker Payton Wilson has made a splash despite not being listed as a starter. Wilson has split snaps almost even with veteran Elandon Roberts and Wilson seems to be involved in every play when he’s on the field. Wilson is fourth on the team with 78 total tackles despite playing fewer than half the total snaps.

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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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Russell Wilson gifts exorbitant Christmas presents to offensive linemen

Russell Wilson celebrates Christmas in style, gifting his offensive linemen lavish presents that showcase his generosity and leadership.

It is safe to say Russell Wilson is trying to keep his offensive linemen in high spirits, as the former Super Bowl XLVIII-winning quarterback has gifted his offensive line impressively lavish Christmas gifts.

‘Tis the season to be spending, as Wilson gifted a $10,000 Airbnb gift card, a Black and Gold Louis Vuitton duffle bag, a bottle of his wife Ciara’s Ten To One Rum, and custom Steelers-inspired shoes from his Good Man Brand to the entirety of his offensive line.

For context on how far Wilson went for his o-line this Christmas, Bengals QB Joe Burrow took a cheaper approach: Japanese katanas for his offensive line. It appears the difference in generosity is quite grand in the AFC North, as Wilson spared no expense for the big men up front.

LT Dan Moore Jr., LG Isaac Seumalo, C Zach Frazier, RG Mason McCormick, and RT Broderick Jones will aim to reward Wilson’s generosity with an impressive display of strength in both pass protection and run blocking against the Kansas City Chiefs—in one of Week 17’s Christmas Day matchups at 1:00 PM EST.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 17-13 lead over Steelers

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 17-13 lead over Steelers

Philadelphia established its passing game and was dominant on defense, but the scoreboard tells a different story as the Eagles hold just a 17-13 lead over Pittsburgh after one half.

Vic Fangio’s defense held the Steelers to just 80 yards of offense on 30 plays in the first half, but two costly Eagles turnovers and two Chris Boswell field goals have Mike Tomlin’s team within four.

With the second half set to begin, we’re looking at sights and sounds from the first half.

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Steelers injury update: C Zach Frazier returns to practice

Star rookie Zach Frazier returned to practice on Monday after missing two games with an ankle injury.

On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers got back to work after the bye week and started preparations for the Washington Commanders. Pittsburgh got some good news when rookie center Zach Fraizer was back on the practice field.

Frazier suffered an ankle injury during the Steelers Week Six game against the Las Vegas Raiders and missed the Steelers next two games. Frazier, only a rookie, was the team’s best offensive lineman prior to his injury.

In Frazier’s place, veteran Ryan McCollum played well but this entire unit is better when Frazier is on the field. The Steelers selected Frazier in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft out of the University of West Virginia.

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