Steelers Rookie Zach Frazier Impresses in Preseason Loss To Buffalo

The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Buffalo Bills in the second game of the preseason on Saturday night. Even in a 9-3 Pittsburgh loss to the Bills, rookie center Zach Frazier impressed his coaches and teammates.

"He's tough. I think that he's such a hard worker, and that's rare to find as a rookie, guys that have such professionalism and have an elite level of focus," quarterback Russell Wilson told reporters postgame.

"He has an elite level of focus. And he did a great job tonight. He made a lot of great calls and just communication between me and him tonight. Obviously, with Big Nate Herbig out, he's gotta step up."

Frazier is one step closer to winning the starting center job over second-year player Herbig. To get there, he has to stay focused, says Wilson.

"And I think the best thing that he can do is keep learning every day, knowing that there's gonna be highs and lows," Wilson continued. "There's gonna be bumps in the road. He went against a really good front tonight — they do a good job. And I thought he handled it well. I thought he was composed. He didn't blink."

Related: Fourth Down Failures Befall Steelers in 9-3 Preseason Loss vs. Bills

The Steelers are on the road next week for the final preseason game of the year against the Detroit Lions on Saturday. Frazer will once again have the opportunity to shine as he pushes hard to become the starter in Pittsburgh.