Steelers Rookie Zach Frazier Opens Up About Replacing Nate Herbig, Mindset as Starter

Even though Zach Frazier wanted to earn the Steelers starting job by full merit and not thanks to an injury, the rookie center is confident he’s ready for the opportunity.

On the heels of moving up the depth chart due to Nate Herbig being placed on injured reserve, Frazier talked about the situation and his mentality on Tuesday.

“I’d never wish that on anyone. I feel really bad for Nate (Herbig), but he’s really helped me out a lot. He didn’t have to help me at all. I wouldn’t be as far as I am right now without him,” said Frazier about how Herbig has been a mentor to him.

Steelers Center Zach Frazier on claiming the starting job after an injury to Nate Herbig.

"I’d never wish that on anyone. I feel really bad for Nate (Herbig), but he’s really helped me out a lot. He didn’t have to help me at all. I wouldn’t be as far as I am right now without…

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 20, 2024

Frazier also explained how he’s been preparing as if he’s the starter since being drafted by the Steelers in the second round.

“That’s always been my goal. I didn’t want to be a backup. I was gonna shoot to earn that starting job. That’s just my mentality. I always want to be on the field and earn it if I can.”

As far as how Frazier has performed through two preseason games, PFF shows he’s been perfect in one particular category.

Frazier allowed zero pressures in 24 pass block snaps for a grade of 82.3, per PFF. They also award Frazier a grade of 80.7 overall from his two preseason appearances. He’s hasn’t allowed a pressure in 42 pass blocking snaps either.

Preseason Grades Show Zach Frazier Remains Perfect in One Particular Category

Even while expressing his disappointment with his team’s overall play, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did take a moment to praise Frazier after the game.

After Pittsburgh’s 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills in their second preseason game, Tomlin said he was “largely satisfied” with Frazier from his time at center. He then added that he will elaborate more after watching the film.

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.”

Find the full conversation between Zach Frazier and the media on the WV Sports Now YouTube channel.

This story included reporting from our partner Steelers Now.