The Pittsburgh Steelers created a hole in the lineup when they released Mason Cole after the 2023 season. The team immediately had no true center on the roster other than Nate Herbig, who has played limited snaps at the position. The organization selected Zach Frazier with the 51st overall pick during the 2024 NFL Draft, which was likely advised by assistant general manager Andy Weidl. Frazier is expected to continue on the legendary tradition at the center position within the Steelers’ organization. Despite the high expectations, he first needs to win the starting job.
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Steelers Nate Herbig at a training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Throughout the entire offseason whenever General Manager Omar Khan or Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media, they were asked about the center position. Pittsburgh really had no center, as Herbig has played less than 50 snaps at the position in the NFL. It was a concern to the media, but Tomlin and Khan said consistently said that they had faith in Herbig at the position and would address the spot eventually. Herbig spoke with Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about his mindset as he fends off Frazier.
"I understand what comes with it, I understand my responsibility to the offense, to the offensive line, to the team in general, so I don't take that lightly. I am serious about it. I am going to do my best to make sure we are all on the same page and things are running smoothly. I'm just doing my job, wherever they tell me to play, whatever position, I'm gonna do my best. All I really care about is winning football games and just trying to be a better version of myself so that I can help the team. Wherever they have me playing, that’s where I’ll be.”
Herbig started two games for the Steelers, and played just 156 total snaps in 2023. Every snap came at either guard position. He struggled a bit as he recorded a grade of 67.6 across the three performances according to Pro Football Focus. He is now trying to take on a completely different position, when he didn't even necessarily excel when playing guard.
AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar
Steelers' Nate Herbig smiles during a practice.
Steelers' Nate Herbig Learned Center From Playing Behind The Best
Tomlin and his staff don't just insert rookies into the starting lineup on the first day of training camp. Rookies need to earn their spot, and the idea of Herbig legitimately becoming the Steelers starting center is probably a bit of a charade. Frazier will eventually taking the starting job, but Tomlin will let this play out. However, Herbig did have a good mentor at center when he played the position with the Philadelphia Eagles, which he spoke about with Adamski.
"Even when I was younger with the Eagles I was the backup center, and even though my primary focus was on guard I would always take snaps every day, and I have been doing that throughout my career. So I feel very comfortable snapping the ball. I'm excited to be here, excited to play ball."
Herbig played for Philadelphia for three seasons, and was the backup center behind Jason Kelce. Kelce is future first-ballot Hall Of Famer, and was probably the best person in the league to learn the center position from during that timeframe. Unfortunately, Kelce was an iron man who didn't come off the field often. This led to Herbig only snapping the ball 49 times as a center in the league.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers center Zach Frazier takes part in the team's 2024 rookie minicamp.
Herbig's slim experience and his lessons learned from one of the best centers in history should help some, but he won't be able to hold off Frazier forever. Frazier is getting used to the speed of the NFL, and getting the nervous jitters out. Pittsburgh will put the pads on for the first time in training camp on Tuesday, which is when it will be easier to see who is more suited to be the one snapping the ball for the Steelers in 2024.
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