Zach Frazier Officially Signs Contract with Steelers

Zach Frazier is officially a member of the Steelers, agreeing to a four-year deal with Pittsburgh on Monday.

While Frazier signing was never in doubt, this now officialize the beginning of his NFL journey. The Steelers drafted the former Mountaineer in the second round of 2024 NFL Draft.

According to Over the Cap, Frazier is expected to make $7.5 million throughout his contract, with a $2.3 million signing bonus. Frazier remains in competition with Nate Herbig for the starting center spot, but is the favorite to win the job and start Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.

“I know how much O-line means to the Pittsburgh Steelers and their long tradition there of having great offensive linemen and great offensive lines, so it’s special,” said Frazier about being drafted by the Steelers in April.

Frazier also touched on the challenge of being part of a young offensive line in Pittsburgh that will be expected to perform to a high level right away.

“I think you just have to trust in the guy next to you. For me, making all the calls at center and making sure we all on the same page. I think that’s just built through reps and I’m ready to get started working on it.”

Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Frazier projects to replace the recently released Mason Cole in the center of the Steelers’ offense. He is one of three rookie offensive linemen, along with Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick.

Frazier plays with a polished style that makes him a plug-and-play option. While not an elite athlete, he is solid across the board and can work in Arthur Smith’s wide zone scheme. In addition, he allows the team to have far more versatility in the run game process, continuing the gap scheme progress a year ago under interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner. Given Faulkner and offensive line coach Pat Meyer are back, there might be a move toward making this scheme more versatile rather than sticking to the mid and wide zone that Smith has been accustomed to in his fabric.

Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Steelers showed consistent interest in Frazier through the pre-draft process, interviewing him at the 2024 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and also bringing him to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for a visit. The Steelers sent assistant offensive line coach Isaac Williams to Frisco, Texas to watch Frazier work out at the Big 12 pro day.

Despite not even testing, he helped himself at the 2024 NFL Combine, checking in at 6-foot-2 1/2 and 313 pounds with 32 1/4-inch arms and 10 7/8-inch hands. He has a 7.66 Relative Athletic Score out of 10. Frazier was limited in the pre-draft process by a broken leg suffered late in the West Virginia season

At the Combine, Frazier ran a 5.24-second 40-yard dash, a 4.69-second shuttle, a 7.85-second three-cone drill, an 8-foot-4 broad jump, and a 28 1/2-inch vertical jump. That shows his toughness, as does the grit to crawl off the field right after breaking his leg.

Frazier appeared in 47 games for the Mountaineers over a four-year span. Frazier’s career at West Virginia came to an end when he suffered a leg injury during the Baylor game on Nov. 25. He managed to get himself off of the field, avoiding a loss of time on the clock late in the game and impressing NFL scouts in the process. The Fairmont, W.Va. native capped off his Mountaineer career as an All-American and finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.

Click here for more of WV Sports Now’s coverage of Zach Frazier.