The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a concerted effort to improve in the trenches over the last several years. That became obvious when general manager Omar Khan traded up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Broderick Jones. Although Jones has not yet materialized into the player Pittsburgh hoped he would become, Khan appears to have hit big on two other young offensive linemen in Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers offensive linemen Mason McCormick (66) and Zach Frazier (54) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Frazier and McCormick arrived together during the 2024 NFL Draft, immediately giving Pittsburgh two potential long-term building blocks on the interior. Frazier quickly established himself as the starting center, while McCormick worked his way into the lineup and has continued proving that his fourth-round draft status did not properly reflect his value.
The Steelers are now entering an all-in 2026 season with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Rodgers is 42 years old, so protecting him will be one of the most important factors in determining whether Pittsburgh can finally make a meaningful playoff run. That makes the development of Frazier and McCormick even more significant.
While speaking on Steelers Training Camp on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Rodgers revealed how fortunate he feels to have Frazier directing the offensive line in front of him. He specifically praised how quickly Pittsburgh’s center and the rest of the unit learned his complicated cadence.
"I’m blessed, though, because the center I got when I came in last year, and I have never been around a center and a group that could pick up the cadence that quickly," Rodgers said. "I mean, they were absolutely incredible."
That is awesome to hear from a quarterback who has worked with plenty of talented offensive linemen throughout his NFL career. Many Steelers fans assumed Frazier could become a star when he came out of West Virginia, but hearing Rodgers speak this highly of him so early in his career gives that belief even more credibility.
Rodgers is not known for handing out empty praise simply to make teammates feel good. He has played football at the highest level for more than two decades and understands exactly what elite preparation looks like. If Rodgers believes Frazier has the chance to become special, that assessment carries serious weight.
His praise did not stop with Frazier. Rodgers also highlighted McCormick’s ability, leadership and authentic passion for football.
"Zach is one of the finest guys," Rodgers said. "He’s really special, and he’s got a chance to be a really special, special player in the league for a long time. Mason McCormick is one of the better young leaders I have been around. We have moved him around to left guard, and he is a fantastic player. But better than that, he really cares about it."
That means a lot coming from a future Hall of Fame signal-caller. Rodgers continued to glow about McCormick, which should make Steelers fans extremely excited.
"Everybody loves football to some extent, but do you love it, and are you passionate about it? Does it come out in an authentic way when you’re on the field? I just love 66 and what he is about," Rodgers mentioned. "Having those two guys in front of me and on my left has been great... They have a great offensive line coach, multiple of them, and I’m going to stay on them."
Steelers May Have Found Two Legitimate Long-Term Building Blocks
McCormick’s leadership should not surprise anyone who has watched him closely. Steelers fans frequently see No. 66 running down the field to celebrate a big play he helped create. He brings energy, toughness and genuine excitement to the offensive line.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers offensive lineman Mason McCormick (66) jogs on the field as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice taking place at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Khan selected McCormick with the 119th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. That selection is beginning to look like a home run. Finding an NFL starter that late is valuable enough, but potentially finding one of the better young leaders Rodgers has encountered makes the pick even more impressive.
Please feel free to share your Steelers takes and thoughts with me on X (@anthonyghalkias) and consider following for more Steelers-related content and discussion. I’m always open to hearing different perspectives, breaking down games, and talking all things Pittsburgh football.
#SteelerNation