In recent years the Pittsburgh Steelers have thrown quite a bit of resources at rebuilding their offensive line. That includes spending some significant money in free agency, trading up in the first round of the NFL Draft, and using picks on the position in three of the first four rounds one year as well.
Now, coming off a season in which the young offensive line showed some growth but struggled mightily down the stretch, it’s time to lean into the developmental aspect of things.
At least, that’s how Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin sees things.
“Talent acquisition is just one thing. Talent development is the next step for us,” Tomlin told former Steelers OT Max Starks during a one-on-one interview, according to video via Steelers.com. And we’ve made the commitment over the last several years to acquire some awesome young talent at that position. Those guys have proven their capabilities. I’m excited about the prospects of continuing to move forward with that group individually and collectively knowing the growth that has happened, and will continue to happen, not only for the individuals within the group, but the longer they play together, the more comfortable they get in their shoes.”
The expectation with the Steelers overhauling their offensive line the way that they have in recent years was that even with acquiring young talent in the draft, it was going to take some time for those pieces to acclimate to the NFL and jell as a group.
That largely played out during the 2024 season. The young pieces along the offensive line showed flashes but ultimately struggled late in the season as part of the five-game losing streak and major Steelers collapse.
Center Zach Frazier was named to the All-Rookie team from the Pro Football Writers of America and had a strong rookie season overall as the Steelers’ Joe Greene Award winner given annually to the top rookie. Even he struggled late in the season, though, as did right guard Mason McCormick, who stepped in for the injured James Daniels in Week 4 and held down the starting right guard job until breaking his hand in the regular-season finale.
Rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu showed flashes, but injuries were a real problem for him as he hurt his knee in the preseason, started one game and looked great, and then injured his knee again and was lost for the season.
Second-year pro Broderick Jones also had some flashes, but was poor down the stretch and finished second in the NFL in sacks allowed with 11, one behind former Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr.
Given the offensive line’s late-season struggles, the expectation was that the Steelers would move on from OL coach Pat Meyer. But they are running it back another year with Meyer, much to the surprise and frustration of many.
So now, entering the 2025 season with the focus for the offensive line on the developmental aspect of things, Meyer has to do his best coaching job to get the young pieces to take another step forward in the NFL. One of those players who needs to take a significant step forward is Frazier. The former second-round pick is the hub of communication for the offensive line and was so highly regarded last season that the future appears very bright for him.
“Zach Frazier, man, he represented himself very well a year ago,” Tomlin said. “I’m excited about the prospects of what Year 2 might be, not only because he’s gonna make a significant jump, but as a hub of communication based on his position, declarations and so forth, things that we know he’s gonna be able to absorb and he may’ve been able to absorb a year ago, but we were just cautious in terms of some of the things that we asked a new player to do.”
It sounds like Frazier will be taking on quite a bit more for the Steelers in Year 2, which is great to hear.
Frazier was outstanding in 2024. He finished as the best pass-blocking rookie offensive lineman, allowing the lowest pressure rate among all qualifying rookies. According to Pro Football Focus, Frazier played 1,021 snaps in 2024 and had an overall grade of 77.9, including an 80.5 in the run game and a 68.6 as a pass blocker.
PFF charged Frazier with just 12 total pressures on 585 pass-blocking reps, giving up one sack. That came in Week 12 against Myles Garrett after a stunt from the Cleveland Browns’ defensive line. Allowing just 12 total pressures in 585 pass blocking reps is rather impressive, especially on the interior considering the type of talent he faced last season.
Now, entering Year 2, more is expected of him. Hopefully the development process for the young player and the rest of the OL continues on an upward trajectory.
