Ex-Steelers OT Trai Essex Praises Pittsburgh For Resolving A Critical Issue That Ruined Them For The Past Two Years

The Pittsburgh Steelers have displayed a new energy, evident in the early stages of training camp. When the pads came on, the intensity heightened. On Wednesday, during camp, quarterback Justin Fields was running with the football when Elandon Roberts delivered a hit. The Steelers' offensive line felt the hit was late and unnecessary.

Rookie offensive linemen Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick were the first to notice Roberts' hit, but it quickly became clear that the entire offensive line was involved. The situation escalated, leading to a heated exchange between the offense and defense. This altercation went viral on social media and sparked significant discussion.

While team fights are never ideal, some pundits suggest this incident could be beneficial. Former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex expressed disappointment with the offensive line's lack of unity and support for teammates over the past two years. Essex believes this newfound energy is a positive change for the team.

The Steelers have made it a priority to improve their offensive line in recent years. In the 2023 NFL Draft, they traded up to select Broderick Jones, who has quickly become a consistent starter after spending some time watching early in his rookie season. Steelers fans are excited to see Jones continue to develop in 2024.

In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Steelers used their first-round pick on Fautanu and selected center Zach Frazier in the next round. In the fourth round, they picked up an under-the-radar prospect in McCormick. It's clear the team is heavily investing in its offensive line, which is young but has a bright future. The players will have the opportunity to grow and develop together, as demonstrated during the recent practice scuffle, where the unit showed their commitment to protecting the quarterback and supporting their teammates.

Nate Herbig is currently competing for the starting center spot. Although Frazier was drafted with the expectation of becoming a star center for the next decade in Pittsburgh, some pundits believe it may take him some time to secure a consistent starting role. Herbig and Frazier will continue to vie for the starting job. After practice, Herbig shared his thoughts on the fight and its underlying causes.

"Nobody’s gonna hit our quarterback, cheap shot, and get away with it," Herbig said. "It’s a big emphasis for us, a big emphasis for our unit. It’s nothing personal, we just protect our quarterback. We appreciate what he does for us, so we are going to protect him. That’s our job."

Fields isn't even expected to be the starting quarterback, but it's encouraging to see the offensive line unit standing up for their teammates—a quality that Essex believes has been missing in recent seasons. 

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Reacts To Fight Breaking Out During Practice

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the incident, acknowledging that while such conflicts are part of the game, the altercation was unprofessional and should serve as a learning experience. Despite his comments, Tomlin may secretly be pleased to see his group of hungry offensive linemen eager to dominate and protect their quarterback.

The Steelers' offensive line has struggled in recent years, but there's a lot of excitement surrounding the young prospects on the line. It will be interesting to see how the rookies integrate into the lineup in 2024. Steelers fans are eager to see the new-look team in action.

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