Pittsburgh Review

Zach Frazier had a notable first year in the NFL after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft as the 51st overall pick. Hailing from Fairmont, West Virginia, and having played for West Virginia University, Frazier found himself in a fitting situation with Pittsburgh just over an hour and a half away from his hometown.

Frazier stepped into a crucial role on the Steelers' offensive line, starting as center from Week 1 due to Nate Herbig's season-ending injury. "My mentality was always that I wanted to prepare to be the starter," Frazier explained. He emphasized his readiness and desire to contribute actively rather than sitting out. His determination paid off as he started 15 games in his rookie season, missing two due to an ankle injury, and also participated in the Steelers' Wild Card game.

His performance earned him a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team, making him the first Steelers offensive lineman to receive this honor since Maurkice Pouncey in 2010. Additionally, he was awarded the Joe Greene Great Performance Award by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.

Reflecting on his rookie year, Frazier expressed mixed feelings about both personal accomplishments and team outcomes. "Obviously, I wasn't happy with how we finished as a team," he stated while acknowledging his satisfaction with his efforts. The transition from college football required adjustments for Frazier, especially in mastering playbooks and executing calls under pressure.

Frazier's responsibilities included coordinating calls for the offensive line—a demanding task for any player but one he embraced confidently. "There's a lot of responsibility," said Frazier about making crucial decisions during games.

Looking ahead to improve further, Frazier plans to analyze footage from his games during the offseason. "I'm going to watch all the film again," he mentioned as part of his strategy to refine skills by reviewing both successful plays and areas needing improvement.