The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have found their center of the future in Zach Frazier. At least, that's what he has shown the organization since being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of West Virginia University. For Frazier, there may not have been a better landing spot, and Steeler Nation felt the same way from the moment he was drafted. Now entering Year 3, Pittsburgh is excited to watch the player many believe will become the franchise's next great center continue to develop in the Steel City.
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Steelers center Zach Frazier during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens watched their own homegrown center, Tyler Linderbaum, walk out the door after signing a massive contract with the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2026 offseason. Linderbaum was selected by Baltimore with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He started 66 games over four seasons and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections after his rookie campaign. Despite his success, the Ravens were unwilling to match the Raiders' three-year, $81 million offer.
It was later reported that Baltimore's final offer to Linderbaum was a four-year, $88 million contract, but he ultimately chose the shorter, higher-paying deal in Las Vegas. While many Steelers fans immediately recognized this as a significant loss for Baltimore, former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch suggested the impact could be even greater than most realize. Speaking with Trai Essex on The Snap Count podcast, Batch explained that losing Linderbaum could have a much larger effect on Lamar Jackson than many people are acknowledging.
"Baltimore is going to have to go through this particular situation," Batch said while speaking about the Ravens' new situation at center. "You hope you hit on your free agents and your young guys who are coming in to play, but you can't take it for granted because those shotgun snaps are the difference between the ball being in your pocket, or, you know, having to bend over to catch the snap because the snap is not consistent when you're trying to deliver the football down the field. So these are truly things that quarterbacks do pay attention to."
The NFL world was stunned to see Jackson, the two-time league MVP, ranked 69th in the 2026 NFL Top 100 Player Rankings. Just one season prior in 2025, Jackson was ranked second, making the dramatic drop a massive surprise across the league.
Now, with Ethan Pocic expected to take over as his new center, there could be a significant adjustment period as the Ravens look to maintain the chemistry and consistency Jackson has built with his offensive line.
"Again, we won't see this in a matter of all the highlights and all the behind-the-scenes work that the Baltimore Ravens are doing," Batch said. "But I promise you this is something that Lamar Jackson is paying attention to."
Batch understands the importance of that relationship better than most. After spending 15 seasons as an NFL quarterback, Batch knows firsthand how critical a reliable center is when it comes to timing, communication, and delivering the football at a high level.
Steelers Have Their Center While Baltimore Searches For Answers
While the Ravens now face uncertainty at a position that was once considered a strength, the Steelers appear to have the exact opposite problem. Pittsburgh believes it has found its long-term answer in Frazier, a player who has quickly earned the trust of the organization and the fan base since arriving in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
As for the Ravens, they are expected to roll out Pocic as their new starting center. The nine-year NFL veteran spent five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before playing the last four years with the Cleveland Browns. Pocic is considered a respectable option with plenty of experience, but he is nowhere near the level of player Jackson was accustomed to having in front of him with Linderbaum.
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