It took Pittsburgh four long years to find stability at center after Maurkice Pouncey retired. Zach Frazier ended that search in just one season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been known for their dominant, hard-hitting defense, but their ability to control the line of scrimmage on offense has been just as vital to their sustained success. A critical part of that offensive line has always been the center, the quarterback’s right-hand man and the anchor of the interior line. For over a decade, the Steelers boasted one of the best centers in the league: Maurkice Pouncey.
Pouncey’s retirement following the 2020 season left a huge void in the heart of the Steelers’ offensive line. His departure sent Pittsburgh into a search for stability at the center position, one that took the better part of four seasons to resolve. That search, filled with uncertainty and revolving door of candidates, finally found its answer in Zach Frazier.
Frazier’s first season as the Steelers’ starting center marked an immediate transformation for the offensive line and the team as a whole. What took Pittsburgh four long years to find in their center position, Frazier provided in a single season. The way he stepped into a pressure-packed role and delivered on the field was a testament to his talent, work ethic, and readiness.
Maurkice Pouncey’s presence in Pittsburgh was nothing short of legendary. A two-time First-Team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler, Pouncey became the heartbeat of the Steelers’ offensive line for over a decade. His ability to snap the ball, call out protections, and anchor the line against powerful defensive fronts made him one of the league’s elite centers. When Pouncey retired after the 2020 season, the Steelers lost not just a Hall-of-Fame-caliber player, but also a leader and a stabilizing force in their offense.
Following Pouncey’s retirement, the Steelers faced the challenge of replacing a player who had been synonymous with the team’s offensive line for years. But the task was more complicated than merely finding a talented player to fill the position. The center is the centerpiece of any offensive line, coordinating the protection schemes, making the necessary adjustments on the fly, and maintaining communication between the quarterback and the rest of the line. The Steelers needed more than just a replacement—they needed someone who could immediately step into the leadership void.
In the years that followed Pouncey’s retirement, the Steelers cycled through multiple players at center, trying to find someone who could bring stability to the position. First came J.C. Hassenauer, a journeyman who had spent time on the Steelers’ practice squad but had not seen much meaningful playing time in the NFL. While Hassenauer was reliable in spots, he never quite lived up to the expectations of an NFL starter at the center position.
Then there was Kendrick Green, a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Steelers had high hopes for Green as the future center of the franchise, but his rookie season was plagued by inconsistency. Green struggled with both the physical demands of the position and the mental aspects, particularly with recognizing defensive alignments and calling out protections. Despite his best efforts, Green never found his footing in the center role, and he was moved to guard in 2022.
That same year, the Steelers tried another option in Mason Cole, a veteran brought in to provide some experience. While Cole showed a degree of stability, he was not the dominant presence Pittsburgh needed to solidify its offensive line. He was serviceable, but the search for a true anchor continued. The revolving door of centers throughout these seasons not only hurt the Steelers’ offensive line cohesion, but it also contributed to struggles in the running game and pass protection, as the offensive line failed to form a consistent unit.
The Steelers’ offensive line issues were compounded by the fact that the team was also transitioning through a period of quarterback uncertainty. The retirement of Ben Roethlisberger after the 2021 season and the subsequent introduction of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett in 2022 meant that the Steelers’ offense was trying to find its rhythm without a Hall of Fame quarterback under center. Having a stable center would have been essential for the success of a young quarterback like Pickett, but the franchise was still scrambling to find a solution
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally found their answer in Zach Frazier, a standout center from West Virginia University. Frazier’s scouting report was impressive from the start: he was a smart, technically sound player with a mean streak and excellent leadership qualities. His combination of size, athleticism, and football IQ made him a perfect fit for the Steelers’ needs.
From the moment Frazier stepped onto the field in Pittsburgh, it was clear that he had the potential to be a difference-maker. He was ready to make an immediate impact, and that’s exactly what he did.
Frazier’s ability to immediately adapt to the speed and physicality of the NFL was remarkable. He quickly established himself as a leader on the line, earning the respect of his teammates and coaching staff. His football intelligence was on full display, as he effortlessly handled the mental demands of the center position. Frazier immediately took over the responsibilities of making line calls and adjusting the protection schemes based on the defense’s alignment, something that had been lacking in the years following Pouncey’s retirement.
But it wasn’t just Frazier’s mental acumen that impressed—it was his physical play. He demonstrated the kind of quickness and power that allowed him to consistently win his battles at the line of scrimmage. Whether it was holding his ground in pass protection or creating lanes in the running game, Frazier’s presence was felt on every snap.
Frazier’s arrival had an immediate and profound impact on the Steelers’ offensive line as a whole. By stabilizing the center position, he allowed the entire line to gel. The communication between Frazier and his fellow linemen improved, and the offensive line began to show more consistency in both run blocking and pass protection. The Steelers had not experienced such stability at the center position since Pouncey was in his prime, and it showed in their offensive production.
The improvement in the running game was perhaps the most noticeable change. For the first time in years, the Steelers were able to establish a more consistent ground game, with Najee Harris benefiting from the increased push up front. Frazier’s ability to create running lanes for Harris, as well as his skill at engaging defenders in the second level, allowed the Steelers’ offense to diversify its attack and keep defenses off balance.
On the passing side, Frazier’s presence helped in both the short and deep game. With Kenny Pickett under center, Frazier was able to provide more time for the quarterback to make his reads and progressions. The center’s ability to anchor the pocket was crucial for Pickett’s development, and Frazier’s calm demeanor under pressure provided a stabilizing force for a young quarterback still finding his way.
Looking ahead, Zach Frazier’s potential seems limitless. His ability to step into a starting role and immediately stabilize one of the most important positions on the field speaks volumes about his talent and maturity. With Pouncey’s shadow looming large, Frazier not only matched the expectations placed upon him but exceeded them, bringing a new level of hope and optimism to Pittsburgh’s offense.
For the Steelers, Frazier’s emergence signals the end of their four-year search for stability at center. The offensive line now has the anchor it needs, and with a promising young quarterback like Kenny Pickett, the Steelers are in position to build a successful offensive line for years to come. Frazier’s growth as a leader and player will be integral to Pittsburgh’s future success, both in the immediate and long-term.
Pittsburgh has always been a team built on the foundation of a dominant offensive line, and with Zach Frazier at the helm of that unit, the Steelers are poised to return to prominence. The center position, once a point of uncertainty and instability, is now a pillar of strength that will help support the team’s quest for future championships.
Zach Frazier’s story is a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, the right player at the right time can turn a franchise around. After four long years of searching, Pittsburgh found its center. And with Frazier leading the charge, the Steelers’ offensive line has a new lease on life, one built on stability, strength, and leadership.
