Mountaineers in the Pros

Zach Frazier Expected to Make First NFL Start for Steelers in Second Preseason Game

Published

1 month ago

August 17, 2024

Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Zach Frazier is expected to check off a major career milestone in the Steelers’ second preseason game. All signs point to Frazier receiving his first start of his young NFL career on Saturday night.

While many expected Frazier to be the Steelers’ center of the future when Pittsburgh drafted him in the second round, the future is becoming the present for the West Virginia Mountaineer product.

Nate Herbig, who has been listed ahead of Frazier on the depth chart and started last week, has missed the last two days of practice with an injury.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin even alluded to Herbig being hurt and giving Frazier an increased opportunity in the team’s next preseason game while talking to reporters on Sunday after his team’s first practice following the loss to the Houston Texans in the preseason opener.

“He’s one of the guys I’m talking about. He was in the stadium on Friday. He’s got that in stadium exposure. So it’s reasonable to expect him to be significantly better,” said Tomlin about what he expects from Frazier coming off gaining valuable in-game experience.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin on Center Zach Frazier.

"He's one of the guys I'm talking about. He was in the stadium on Friday. He's got that in stadium exposure. So it's reasonable to expect him to be significantly better. Next week we are going to position him to do so with an…

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 11, 2024

“Next week we are going to position him (Frazier) to do so with an increased workload,” Tomlin added. And to that end, Frazier has been taking snaps with the first-team offense since Sunday of last week.

But Frazier, like any NFL rookie, is still a work in progress. However, PFF evaluated him favorably from his time in relief of Herbig, who endured communication issues with quarterback Justin Fields.

According to PFF, Frazier allowed zero pressures in 19 pass block snaps. They also offered him a grade of 72.2 as a run blocker.

Grading How Zach Frazier Did in Steelers Preseason Debut

Beyond those metrics, those around Frazier have continually emphasized their belief that he embodies what it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, most notably the hard working demeanor that a coach like Tomlin appreciates.

Recently, WVU head coach Neal Brown made it a point to express his gratitude to Frazier as an all-time great Mountaineer. Brown mentioned Frazier as a big reason for the change in culture around the West Virginia program.

“He’ll be the Steelers center of the future. He really changed our program just on how he worked,” Brown said about Frazier.

Brown made similar comments about Frazier when initially congratulating him for being drafted back in April.

“Zach, congrats on being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. From everybody here at WVU football, we want to tell you ‘job well earned.’ You made an incredible impact on our program. You changed our course. And we’re so happy for you, your wife, your mom and dad and your entire extended family down in Fairmont. To see one of our own reach the highest level, we’re so excited. We wish you the best,” said Brown in a video posted across his personal social media accounts.

And for Frazier, a chance to join the long lineage of great offensive lineman is a dream scenario.

“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.

Zach Frazier and the Steelers kickoff their game with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night at 7 pm ET from Acrisure Stadium. 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.