The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the league’s most expensive defenses (and cheapest offenses), but that’s due for a monumental shift over the next few years. The young, rising offensive line is a driving force behind that change. In fact, the Steelers have three linemen from the same draft class needing large paydays as soon as next offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon listed each NFL team’s most underpaid players following free agency, and he couldn’t narrow it down to just one Steeler. OT Troy Fautanu, C Zach Frazier, and OG Mason McCormick all made the list.
“We can’t pick just one, because right now the Steelers are getting excellent value out of all three of the offensive linemen they selected in the first four rounds of the 2024 draft,” he wrote. “Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick have become a force together, and they’re slated to count a total of just $7.4 million against the cap in 2026.”
While they currently offer great value, that narrative will soon flip on its head. As long as they follow their current trajectory and stay healthy, all three players are due for sizable paydays — and higher expectations for the group will follow.
Zach Frazier, drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has been one of the top five or six centers in the league since his rookie season. Pro Football Focus says Frazier has allowed two sacks across 32 games played. He hasn’t received any Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections, but that could change in 2026. Those honors would add more leverage for Frazier and his agent in negotiations.
Tyler Linderbaum was just paid $81 million over three years to reset the center market. That is a massive $9 million jump above Creed Humphrey as the second-highest APY on the list. A strong season could see Frazier sign a deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 million per season. That’s a far cry from the $1.89 million APY on his rookie deal.
Flanking Frazier to the right, Mason McCormick has been a pleasant surprise. Injuries thrust Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft into a starting role early. McCormick has started 31 regular-season games in his first two years. The guard market has been red hot lately, and he will surely benefit.
Despite allowing five sacks in 2025, McCormick showed progress from his rookie season. He ended up as one of Pittsburgh’s most consistent performers down the stretch. His $1.2 million APY from his rookie deal should soon jump by a multiple of 10. Something around $12 million APY seems reasonable.
Finally, first-round OT Troy Fautanu could receive an extension next offseason. Pittsburgh will likely pick up his fifth-year option, but that will only set the floor for a long-term deal. Over The Cap has him valued at $15.5 million per season, but another strong year will easily raise that number. A top-10 right tackle contract would be $17.5 million. Another productive and healthy season will put him in that conversation, potentially pushing $20 million APY.
The inexpensive offensive line will soon be worth over $50 million per year, and that only includes the three 2024 draft picks. It’s a good problem to have, but it’ll represent a large shift in how Pittsburgh builds its roster moving forward. For a team aiming to develop a young franchise quarterback soon, a strong and rising offensive line is the perfect foundation.
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