The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their preseason with a disappointing performance against the Houston Texans. Struggling offensively, the Steelers were shut out in the first half, while the Texans thrived. Despite a modest comeback in the second half, the Steelers fell short, losing 20-12.
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Steelers Nate Herbig at a training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
While it’s important to remember that it’s only preseason and not to overreact, there were notable concerns from Friday night’s game. One of the primary issues was the lack of cohesion between Nate Herbig and Justin Fields. Herbig, who is competing for the starting center position, has been working with the first team throughout camp.
The Steelers also drafted center Zach Frazier in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, positioning him as a potential future cornerstone for the offensive line. With Herbig and Frazier both vying for the starting role, Friday’s preseason game was crucial. However, Herbig struggled during the game, as he misfired on two snaps with Fields. Both players took responsibility for the errors.
Following the game, Herbig addressed the media and discussed what went wrong with the failed snaps.
“I have the full confidence in myself to snap the ball,” Herbig said. “I didn’t have a bad snap all training camp. It happened (tonight). That’s all that matters. Bad football by me.”
Despite the rough start, it’s important to remember that preseason performances don’t always predict regular season outcomes. As the Steelers work to evaluate their roster and fine-tune their lineup, there’s plenty of room for improvement and adjustment. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was notably displeased with his team’s performance on Friday night, particularly criticizing the special teams unit for what he described as a JV performance.
AP Photo / Matt Freed
Steelers' Justin Fields avoids a pass rusher as he throws the football.
Fans were eager to see Fields make his debut, but his performance was difficult to fully assess due to limited action. The failed snaps significantly stalled the offense, although one of the botched snaps did result in a four-yard gain. Fields didn't get the offense any points, but he looked above average getting the ball out quickly. He did solid with what he was working with.
Fields completed five of six passes for 67 yards and was sacked twice. While he didn’t have the opportunity to fully showcase his dual-threat capabilities, he impressed with a few exciting throws. The Steelers' other new quarterback, Russell Wilson, will see action in the upcoming preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, barring a setback with his calf injury.
The quarterback battle between Wilson and Fields is heating up. While Wilson is expected to be the starter, Fields still has a chance to claim the role. However, the Steelers face more than just a quarterback decision. They need to determine if Frazier is ready to start Week 1. It seems likely that Herbig may initially hold the position, potentially starting the first half of the season before Frazier takes over. However, that momentum might have changed during the Texans game.
Steelers' Zach Frazier Gains Momentum For Starting Center Job
On Friday, Frazier showed promise. He didn’t experience the failed snaps that plagued Herbig, and the offense appeared to function more smoothly when he was on the field. Frazier’s performance suggests he could be a key player for the Steelers as a rookie, and fans are eager to see his continued development.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Zach Frazier (54) talks with Nate Herbig (71) during training camp in 2024.
As for Herbig, he’ll look to rebound from a disappointing performance. Despite his struggles, he remains confident in his abilities, as he hadn’t had a bad snap throughout camp. It’s important to remember that early mistakes don’t define a player’s full potential, and Herbig has the opportunity to prove himself as the preseason progresses.
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