PITTSBURGH — It’s not every day that one NFL team has three new rookie offensive linemen who come into a program and grow together. But the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers are that rare team, having drafted Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick. And those three got the first taste of life together at rookie minicamp.
They hopped into Frazier’s truck, which he drove from nearby Fairmont, West Virginia, on their way to practice. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith even quipped at the three rookies, saying they had become inseparable in their first few days together. Of course, with the rookies on site for the first time and then getting into OTAs, the group will embrace the veterans starting on Tuesday, when the whole team will come together.
It means getting to know guys like Russell Wilson and Justin Fields for these three. In addition, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are the staples at running back. Mason McCormick, Frazier, and Fautanu all came from winning programs and became leaders for their respective teams. The experience that each player carries with them into their first NFL season should help accelerate a tough learning curve along the offensive line.
“The three things that these guys have, they’re tenacious, they play the game the right way, the love of the game, all three of them truly have that love of the game and passion for the game, and they want to get going right away,” Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer said.
Expect all three of the players to earn significant reps early on in OTAs to foster chemistry between them and the rest of the team. However, having themselves as critical counterparts in the early going of their careers should aid them in growing. Add in veterans like James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo, and Pittsburgh has set up quality situations for all three players.