Building in the trenches has not been something that the Pittsburgh Steelers have stayed away from ever since Omar Khan was promoted to be the team's general manager in May of 2022. The goal has not just been to add a solid piece here and there, but rather, to completely reinvent the wheel. Dating back to 2023, three of the organization's four first-round selections have been used on offensive lineman. On top of that, it's fair to argue that the most reliable and consistent big man that has been taken by the franchise recently is second-round center Zach Frazier, who has started 31 games.
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Steelers center Zach Frazier stands alongside and speaks with backup quarterback Mason Rudolph as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
One trend that has come back into the fold of late is the Steelers rewarding former draft picks for strong play. Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington are the most recent beneficiaries, and there should also be more to come in the 2026 offseason. Those extensions won't stop once 2027 rolls around, either. Individuals like Frazier, Mason McCormick and Payton Wilson may all be in line to get paid.
Out of the three, Frazier will most likely be worth the most because of how important the position he plays is. Regardless of whoever is under center for the Steelers come 2027, having continuity on the offensive line and a true leader will go a long way. It won't come as a surprise if the former second-round pick gets top-of-the-line money when negotiations come to an end.
Things for Khan got a little more complicated on Wednesday when the Miami Dolphins handed out a massive deal to center Aaron Brewer. Adam Schefter was first on the news.
Center Aaron Brewer and the Miami Dolphins reached agreement today on a 3-year, $52.5 million extension that includes $37 million guaranteed. The deal makes Brewer one of the highest-paid centers in the league in a deal done by Kyle McCarthy of Athletes First. pic.twitter.com/ZQd1FWCR7T
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 10, 2026
This is a significant contract that will pave the way for the position moving forward. Frazier has been as consistent as they come and the Steelers hit a home run when taking him back in 2024. Unfortunately, drafting well leads to plenty of money getting thrown all over the place very often. The 2026 offseason has been an expensive one for Khan and co., and it appears as if the 2027 one will be very similar.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks out to the crowd and takes it all in as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice being held at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
There is no way that Pittsburgh will allow a franchise center to walk out the door. It would be foolish to do so, even if he is going to demand just under $20 million per year in a new deal. The good news is that there doesn't have to be a discussion about it in the present, but whatever agent represents Frazier is certainly going to be studying every inch of Brewer's deal.
The salary cap continues to rise in he NFL, so there's no doubt that Khan will be able to make something work for Frazier, but then there are players like McCormick and Wilson to worry about as well. The good news is that Troy Fautanu's fifth-year option can be picked up and any extension for him can be essentially pushed off until 2028 rolls around.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers' offensive lineman Troy Fautanu stands on the playing surface as the team warms up on the field prior to a 2025 training camp practice being held at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Are Almost Finished Completely Offensive Line Revamp
Pittsburgh will be in good shape if Frazier, Fautanu and McCormick are all locked in for the long-term future. There still are some other areas that need to be finalized, but the team selected another pair of offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft to try and officially complete what has been a long process. Building in the trenches has been vital for the organization, and now the Steelers are going to have to pay up to keep the unit together.
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