Cornerstone center gives Steelers a realistic shot at resurrecting a stagnant offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a promising position to establish a dominant, young offensive line that could form the backbone of a revitalized offense. After years of frustration and stagnation on the offensive side of the ball, particularly in the running game, it’s becoming clear that Pittsburgh is ready to rebuild and retool.

Once a franchise known for its physical style of play, the offense has become redundant and tiresome. Once a unit known to grind defenses into the ground, the offense has instead been doomed by inconsistency and injuries.

In 2024, the Steelers’ offense struggled to find its rhythm, as they finished with a 42.2% successful run rate, the lowest since 2021. Injuries and the growing pains of integrating young players into the NFL only compounded these struggles.

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But despite the adversity, Pittsburgh’s front office has put the pieces in place to improve. In recent drafts, they have selected three offensive linemen in the first two rounds, and they now have a formidable group ready to take charge in 2025 and beyond.

Zach Frazier is the perfect cornerstone for Steelers' determined OL

At the heart of this promising group is center Zach Frazier, who had an outstanding rookie season. Frazier quickly earned respect for his leadership and performance on the field, ranking seventh in pressure rate (2.5%) and fourth in run-blocking grade (79.5). His success earned him Steelers Rookie of the Year honors, and he will anchor the line for the foreseeable future.

Under his guidance, the Steelers will see substantial growth from other key young players such as Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones, and Mason McCormick. Each player brings potential and versatility to the table, with Fautanu and Jones expected to be key figures on the left side and McCormick working to solidify the right.

Adding experience to the mix is Isaac Seumalo, who will be the veteran presence on the line in his ninth season. Seumalo’s leadership and savvy will be invaluable for this young group, as he’s familiar with the demands of the NFL and can guide the team’s rising stars.

As the Steelers continue to renovate their offense, they can rest easy knowing that the foundation of their offensive line has potential. The combination of youthful determination, developing talent, and veteran experience positions Pittsburgh for long-term success.

With a solid front five, the front office can focus on other areas of need without the constant headaches that often accompany the search for quality linemen in free agency or the draft. The future of Pittsburgh’s offense looks brighter, and the offensive line will play a crucial role in the team’s resurgence.