The Pittsburgh Steelers attempted to rebuild their offensive line over the offseason. Whether or not that rebuild will be successful remains to be seen. The likely starting unit will feature two rookies and a second-year player, an amount of inexperience that could prove troublesome, especially early in the season. Following a key injury and a miserable showing in their second preseason game, it’s a good time for a closer look at the Steelers’ offensive line.
Steelers Offensive Line Outlook Following Preseason Week 2
Herbig’s Injury Leaves a Hole
Before their game against the Buffalo Bills, it was reported the Steelers lost Nate Herbig, a key piece of their offensive line, to a “significant shoulder injury.” It was later reported by Gerry Dulac that Herbig could miss the whole season with a torn rotator cuff.
BAD NEWS: Nate Herbig has a torn rotator, per sources, an injury that could keep him out for the entire season. https://t.co/O6i7G1BsvK
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 18, 2024
This officially places rookie Zach Frazier at the top of the depth chart at center. However, Frazier was clearly trending to be the starter at center in Week 1; the Herbig injury just cemented it.
While Herbig likely wouldn’t have been a starter, his absence will leave the Steelers offensive line without an important depth piece. He would have served as the backup center and potentially the top backup at both guard spots as well. While the Steelers have other depth pieces at guard, they don’t have another real center on their roster. Rookie Mason McCormick and versatile second-year lineman Spencer Anderson can play center in a pinch, but neither would be an ideal replacement.
Pittsburgh should look to bring in a veteran backup center, potentially Mason Cole, their starter from last year who is still a free agent.
Broderick Jones on the Wrong End of Bully Ball
Pittsburgh’s 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones was on the receiving end of a beatdown against the Bills. Jones was abused by Greg Rousseau in pass protection. It was yet another sign that Jones hasn’t developed nearly like Pittsburgh was hoping he would over the offseason. Granted, Jones is playing with an elbow injury, which could affect the power in his hands. But the injury shouldn’t be affecting his footwork, lack of speed, and general sloppiness out of his stance.
Steelers fans will insist moving Jones to the left side, where he played in college, will fix most of his issues. That doesn’t seem to be the case, though. Sure, moving Jones around hasn’t been good for his development. But a player won’t go from getting bullied to being the bully simply by switching which side of the line they are playing on. Plus, Troy Fautanu is a left tackle, too, and Jones has played right tackle more recently than Fautanu has (most of last season).
The Steelers reportedly plan to start Fautanu at right tackle (assuming he is healthy), so they must be comfortable with moving him out of his usual spot. It seemed like Jones was bound to start at left tackle. If he can’t clean it up, though, there’s a chance it could be Dan Moore Jr., not Jones, starting on the left side of the Steelers offensive line in Week 1.
Zach Frazier Stands Out Again
The good news for the Steelers is the interior portion of their offensive line is trending in the right direction. Though the latter struggled against Buffalo, Pittsburgh’s guard duo of James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo is very good. And for the second straight preseason game, Zach Frazier stood out as one of the Steelers’ best offensive linemen. This shouldn’t be a surprise; Frazier’s biggest selling point ahead of the draft was that he was the most pro-ready center in the class. It has shown so far throughout training camp and the preseason.
In pass protection, the Steelers’ offensive line needs to be better, especially their tackles. But in the run game, they still have everything it takes to be a very good unit. Frazier, Seumalo, and Daniels make up a high-quality run-blocking interior group. And whoever ends up starting between Fautanu, Jones, and Moore will form a good run-blocking tackle duo. They need to show major improvement in pass protection if the Steelers want to be any kind of a contender, though.
Main Photo: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports
