Steelers' Offensive Line May Be Finally 'Starting To Click'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been working on the offensive line for a few years now, and it was once again a point of emphasis entering 2025. Instead of adding to the unit once again, the focus was on making sure everything finally meshes together, and this young, inexperienced lineup could finally become one cohesive unit. Early returns have not been great, but as time has gone on, it seems like things have been better. Hopefully, that trend continues in the right direction throughout the 2025 campaign. 

In insider Mark Kaboly's recent article on X, he noted many comments made by the offensive line about their progress. It could be all summed up by Zach Frazier, who gave somewhat of a promising progress report on the collective unit.

"We are starting to click as an offensive line and a lot of it has to do with the reps," Frazier said. "The longer you play beside the same guys, the things start to click. We are always hard on ourselves, and we are nowhere near where we need to be."

When the whole unit is as young and inexperienced as the Steelers' offensive line is currently, there will certainly be growing pains along the way. Even Frazier, who was seen as one of the best centers in the NFL in 2024, still has to keep working on things, like communication. Meanwhile, the less experienced guys are focusing on their technique and making sure they get better physically before increasing the difficulty of their calls. 

Isaac Seumalo, the only long-tenured veteran in the group, is slated to be a free agent at season's end. He has been a steady piece of the offensive line, and a massive help to everyone else -- almost like a coach on the field. The problem is that due to age and slight regression, the team will likely allow him to walk in free agency. Frazier and his line have to learn to communicate and work together for when that day eventually comes. 

There has been some massive growth from the two first-round offensive tackles as well. As Frazier said, there is still a long way to go before they get to the high level they want to be at, but some semblance of a functioning unit is coming together. They can't expect 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers to have this bounce-back campaign if they can't keep their quarterback upright. 

Steelers Have Gotten Lots Of Help From Unusual Suspects

The main negative of this offensive line is that they are still a bit too over-reliant on the jumbo package. Everything seems to click when Spencer Anderson and Darnell Washington are on the field together. Those two, combined with either offensive tackle, produce a powerful half-ton force that has truly reinvigorated the run game.

Kaboly also noted how efficient the Steelers have been statistically whenever they do put Anderson and Washington on the line together. All in all, it has been working well ever since they started making it a key part of the offense.

"The Steelers are 11 of 12 for 103 yards [passing] while adding 28 carries for 178 yards out of that [jumbo] formation," Kaboly said. "Against the Bengals, Warren busted off a 24-yard gain out of the heavy look."

Even though the offensive line still has a lot to work on, it's great to have those two to fall back on when things may not be going as well as hoped. Frazier and his unit still cannot be considered a top tier squad, but progress is progress. As long as they keep moving in the right decision, they should be able to thrive for the long-term future with or without Anderson and Washington.