Steelers QB Russell Wilson Shares Thoughts on Working with Zach Frazier

There’s now more pressure on Zach Frazier to be at his best during his rookie season – he’s claimed the starting job after an injury to Nate Herbig – but he already has a vote of confidence from one key teammate.

Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who worked with Frazier for the first time during the Steelers’ preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, shared his thoughts on what he’s experienced from the WVU product so far.

“He’s tough. I think that he’s such a hard worker, and that’s rare to find as a rookie, guys that have such professionalism and have an elite level of focus,” said Wilson to reporters postgame.

“He has an elite level of focus. And he did a great job tonight. He made a lot of great calls and just communication between me and him tonight. Obviously, with Big Nate (Herbig) out, he’s gotta step up.”

Wilson even went as far as to offer advice to Frazier moving forward.

“And I think the best thing that he can do is keep learning every day, knowing that there’s gonna be highs and lows,” Wilson said. “There’s gonna be bumps in the road. He went against a really good front tonight — they do a good job. And I thought he handled it well. I thought he was composed. He didn’t blink.”

Even more importantly, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he was “largely satisfied” with Frazier while talking with reporters after the game.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin ‘Largely Satisfied’ with Zach Frazier in First NFL Start

Everything Frazier’s said and done since arriving in Pittsburgh screams a young player willing to do whatever it takes to be great.

“I think it’s my job to, you know, take care of myself first and make sure all of my ducks are in a row before I start leading others,” said Frazierback in May.

And since everything points to Frazier staying at the top of the depth chart for a while, the Steelers’ second-round draft pick will need to learn as much as he can as quickly as he can. Fortunately for Frazier, Herbig’s absence means he’s assured to receive all of the first-team reps during practice and in games.

Up next for Frazier and the Steelers is a final preseason test in Detroit on Aug. 24. Kickoff between Pittsburgh and the Lions is set for 1 p.m. ET. The game will air nationally on NFL Network and locally on KDKA-TV.

For a related story, Beanie Bishop discusses the source of his motivation to be great with Steelers.