Steelers Rookie Center Zach Frazier Ready to Take on Starting Role: ‘I Didn’t Want to Be a Backup’

PITTSBURGH — With the Pittsburgh Steelers placing center/guard Nate Herbig (torn rotator cuff) on the injured reserve list, likely ending his 2024 season with the club. Rookie Zach Frazier will be the starting center in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Frazier has turned heads in the first two preseason games, so it was already heading in the direction that he would be a Day 1 starter. Herbig had a poor performance in the first preseason game against Houston, and was ultimately benched for Frazier during the game.

In 24 pass-blocking snaps in Saturday night’s game against Buffalo, Frazier allowed zero sacks and pressures.  according to Pro Football Focus. He received an overall passing-blocking grade of 82.3.

“Definitely had some good plays and some plays I want back,” Frazier said. “I’m always going to be hard on myself. Overall, I think they were pretty solid, but I’m my biggest critic. I want to strive to be the best that I can be.”

Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier during a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 17, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin raved about Frazier after Tuesday’s practice.

“Really, I don’t know that any of it has been surprising. … He is as advertised,” Tomlin said. “He’s mature beyond his football years. He’s highly competitive, he’s got really good leverage.”

Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has been impressed with Frazier’s preparation.

“I’d say of any rookie, he’s probably the most prepped, and we thought that when we drafted him,” Smith said. “Since he’s been in the building, he’s as advertised. It’s unfortunate what happened to Nate (Herbig).”

Frazier said Herbig has been a great mentor to him, and is grateful for his guidance.

“I feel really bad for Nate. He’s really helped me out a lot,” Frazier said. “Honestly, in his position, he didn’t have to help me out at all. I wouldn’t be as far as I am right now without him. Really thankful for him, and he’s still been around, still helping me out, still giving me pointers and tips. Which obviously, he doesn’t have to do. Really grateful for him, and I’m just going to put my head down and work and do everything that I can.”

Frazier said being a Day 1 starter was always the goal.

“I didn’t want to be a backup,” he said. “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.”

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.