Steelers Put Rookie Troy Fautanu's Locker Next To Isaac Seumalo Like Broderick Jones In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers are close to having their offensive line finally fixed after a dreadful three-season stretch, but the play will have to speak for itself on the field. Pittsburgh was able to select a tackle out of Washington, Troy Fautanu, and a center out of West Virginia, Zach Frazier, in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, while maintaining guys like Broderick Jones, James Daniels, and Isaac Seumalo on the roster. After coming to Pittsburgh from Washington, Fautanu's newest locker neighbor will be Seumalo. 

Fautanu and Frazier come into Pittsburgh looking to be the final pieces for the o-line. The Steelers have needed help on the line for multiple years now, which has been a huge reason as to why their offense has been disappointing. Pittsburgh has two great running backs with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, but they are useless without solid blocking upfront. At the Steelers' rookie minicamp on Friday, Fautanu was asked about a multitude of things, one of which being who his new locker room buddy is. 

Brian Batko with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced that Fautanu will be placed next to Seumalo in the locker room, similarly to what they did with Jones in 2023.

Fautanu revealed that he did not intend to bother Seumalo on his first day, considering he is not a big talker. This could just be the Steelers' attempt at expressing the seriousness of the NFL, even if Seumalo takes it to a more extreme level. Seumalo is a highly respected player and person in the Steelers' building, which gives another reason as to why they would put Fautanu next to him. 

"To be honest, he’s a man of few words. I learned that very quickly so I didn’t want to bother him too much on my first day," Fautanu explained via Batko.

As one of the veterans on the offense, Seumalo contributed big time for the Steelers and their line last season as their starting guard. 

Seumalo will be one of the key leaders on the offense again to show the ropes to the new guys like Fautanu and Frazier. His leadership abilities will be reflected on how the two transform into vital pieces on the offense and into leaders of their own. Since Seumalo's arrival in Pittsburgh a year ago, the line production as a whole has improved, but is still not where it needs to be. While the Steelers are fighting to end their playoff win drought, the o-line quality must be exceptional this season. 

Steelers' New Line Additions Have A Lot Of Pressure

The entire city of Pittsburgh is expecting Fautanu and Frazier to have big careers in the Steel City. Not only are they expected to get into the starting lineup in 2024, but both are also expected to be the long-term solutions. The Steelers have not had a successor at center since Maurkice Pouncey's retirement, but Frazier has a great chance to be that guy. While understanding the huge expectations, Frazier says all he can do is work the best to his abilities. 

Along with Frazier, Fautanu is hoped to be Pittsburgh's right tackle for a long time. At least Fautanu grew up a Steelers fan, so there should be no worries whether he ever wants to be anywhere else. Still, it's tough putting a lot of pressure like such on young players, but this is the NFL, and this is the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Frazier and Fautanu pan out and remain in Pittsburgh for the next five to 10 seasons at least, then it's safe to say the Steelers are where they want to be.

What do you think? Will Seumalo help Fautanu and the others learn the ropes? Let us know below.

#SteelerNation