The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a new offensive setup this season. That’s good, because last year’s offense was the fifth worst in the NFL. Whether Russell Wilson or Justin Fields is the Steelers’ starting quarterback, both have a good chance of delivering better results than Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.

However, the Steelers will only be as good as their offensive line allows them to be, and they’ve had plenty of problems in the trenches over the past few years. Unfortunately, they may have just lost a projected starter to a season-ending injury.

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Nate Herbig of the Pittsburgh Steelers suffers a torn rotator cuff and opens the door for Zach Frazier

Nate Herbig joined the Pittsburgh Steelers last season after spending time with the Eagles and Jets. By signing with Pittsburgh, he joined his brother Nick, who was selected 132nd in the 2023 NFL Draft. Amazingly, Nate chose the Steelers back in March, and the draft didn’t take place until April.

It turned out to be a great decision. Nick thrived as a rookie, recording three sacks and two forced fumbles despite not starting a single game. But he played in all 17 games. Nate also played in all 17 games, but only started two games.

This year, Nate has been training as a starting center since minicamp. When Pittsburgh’s season began in Week 1 at Atlanta, he was in position to stay on the first line of attack. Unfortunately, Herbig won’t get that chance.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-GazetteNick Herbig has suffered a torn rotator cuff. It is a serious injury that could cost him the entire season. Now the Steelers will probably use a rookie as center instead.

The good news, if there is any, is that that rookie is second-round pick Zach Frazier. The 51st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was being talked about as a potential first-round pick, but the Steelers’ front office was able to snag him on day two instead. Frazier has good size, standing 6’3″ and 300 pounds, and is impressively athletic for a lineman. He also has a wrestling background, which should give him an advanced understanding of leverage as well. All in all, Frazier has a chance to be a very good lineman for the Steelers.

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