The Pittsburgh Steelers hope to make it to the Super Bowl so the organization doesn't have to send anyone to the Pro Bowl. Even if Pittsburgh doesn't achieve its goal of getting to Super Bowl LIX, four Steelers have been voted as some of the best at their position in the AFC. TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Chris Boswell all were named Pro Bowlers on Thursday. The Steelers are near the top of the league with four separate players being named Pro Bowlers, but there is still some clear snubs that didn't make the final cut.
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Steelers' TJ Watt hypes up his teammates before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.
The Steelers didn't have any players from the offense get selected to the annual event. This isn't necessarily a surprise. Pittsburgh spreads the ball around a lot and the workload in the running game is split between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. It was quite obvious no skill-position players would be getting the Pro Bowl nod, especially after George Pickens missed three games. One player that should be considered snubbed however, is rookie center Zach Frazier.
Zach Frazier being omitted as a Pro Bowl starter is probably my only gripe with the team.
— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) January 2, 2025
Duke Manyweather is considered an offensive line expert. He trains and develops individual players while also occasionally serving as a scout. He has been high on Frazier since before the center was even drafted by the Steelers. Frazier has been one of the best offensive rookies in the league in 2024, while also quickly emerging as a top center as well. The rookie ranks fifth out of all NFL centers when it comes to his overall grade according to Pro Football Focus.
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Steelers' Zach Frazier during his NFL debut against the Atlanta Falcons.
Instead of Frazier, Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs and Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens were the centers selected to the Pro Bowl from the AFC. They each certainly deserve their spot, but what Frazier has been able to do as a rookie should not be overlooked. Linderbaum has blocked in front of one of the best rushing attacks in the league, while Humphrey is the center for Patrick Mahomes so he obviously gets a bump.
Frazier didn't make the Pro Bowl as a starter or as the backup, but Manyweather's argument was that Frazier should be the starter for the AFC. This would mean he has theoretically been the best center in the conference, which is a good thing to hear for fans in Pittsburgh. The rookie center could still make the Pro Bowl once players begin to opt out, or if either Humphrey or Linderbaum play in the Super Bowl. There is a good chance of this considering their two teams met in the AFC Championship Game at the end of the 2023 season.
Pittsburgh's center will likely make many Pro Bowls throughout his career. He may have missed out in his rookie season, but at least the fan base is able to know they have a franchise-center again.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey during his playing career.
Steelers' Zach Frazier Continuing Tradition Of Exceptional Center Play In Pittsburgh
The center position is glorified throughout the history of the Steelers. Both Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson are Hall of Famers that played the position for the Steelers. Ray Mansfield, Jeff Hartings, and Maurkice Pouncey all were named All-Pros on multiple occasions. Pouncey will likely make the Hall of Fame as soon as he becomes eligible, as he was known as being one of the best centers in the league throughout his career.
Frazier is off to a good start, and the rookie has shown he will be able to continue the tradition of excellent play at the center position for the Steelers. He was facing a lot of pressure going in to the 2024 season as he was a high draft pick and he had a lot of history to live up to, but he has been able to do that and more.
Do you think Frazier should have made the Pro Bowl? Let us know in the comments below!
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