Steelers Fans Should Pay Close Attention To Free Agent Market As Zach Frazier's Price Tag Could Soon Be Revealed

The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a solid job drafting ever since Omar Khan was promoted to general manager following the 2022 NFL Draft and ever since Andy Weidl was brought on as assistant GM. Drafting well is a key component of being a strong and competitive organization, but it is also important to retain that talent once the rookie contracts get close to expiring. Typically, after a drafted rookie's third season, the player becomes eligible for a contract extension. That is the time when the franchise decides whether or not to truly invest in the player, as the price tag of an extension can be pretty large.

Pittsburgh drafted well back in 2023, and those players are now eligible for extensions during the 2026 offseason. The main players to watch are Joey Porter Jr. and Nick Herbig, who should each be extended on considerably large deals. Another factor to keep an eye on will be the center market in free agency. When it comes to extensions, Zach Frazier will become eligible following the 2026 season. A key player to keep an eye on is Tyler Linderbaum as he is scheduled to hit free agency during the 2026 offseason.

Linderbaum was the Baltimore Ravens' first-round pick back in 2022, and his rookie contract is expiring. Baltimore will either workout a new deal for him prior to free agency, or he will test the open market. He should have multiple suitors if he makes it to free agency, including the Los Angeles Chargers or the New York Giants where he could reunite with his former head coach, John Harbaugh.

Linderbaum can either stay put in Baltimore or head elsewhere, but either way, he is going to command a lot of money. According to Spotrac, the center's market value sits at roughly $17.7 million per year, and the site projects that he will ink a four-year deal worth nearly $71 million. This would place him right under the league's highest-paid center in Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs who earns $18 million per year. It should be expected for Linderbaum to become the league's highest-paid center, especially if he makes it to open market as competing teams will drive the price up.

Humphrey is the current highest-paid center at $18 million annually as mentioned, while Cam Jurgens is in second at $17 million per season. Linderbaum should surpass that, and with another good season, Frazier could easily become the league's highest-paid center. He does not yet have the accolades that the other centers previously mentioned do, but the talent is clearly there. Aaron Rodgers raved about Frazier throughout the 2025 season, which is another sign pointing to just how good the young center is.

Steelers' Zach Frazier Could Earn First Major Accolades In 2026

It has been difficult for Frazier to make an All-Pro team or a Pro Bowl due to the fact that both Humphrey and Linderbaum play in the AFC. There is a chance that Linderbaum could end up with Harbaugh and the Giants. Two centers from each conference make the Pro Bowl, and with Linderbaum potentially out of the way, it is fair to assume that Frazier could end up being selected. If he continues to improve, he could also beat one of those guys out for an All-Pro spot in 2026, and either of those accolades would justify a larger extension.

Frazier has proved to be a great selection for the Steelers, and the organization is getting close to having to seriously invest in the young center.

What do you think the Steelers might end up paying Frazier during the 2027 offseason? Let us know in the comments below!

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