The Five Players Shaping the Steelers’ New Era

Kelly Anozie
1 hour ago
2 min read

During this Steelers era with Omar Khan, the team has gone through great lengths to add the kind of talent and youth this roster had been starving for. Since 2023, Pittsburgh has shifted from patchwork fixes to intentional roster building, targeting players who fit a modern, flexible identity on both sides of the ball.

As the Steelers move deeper into this new chapter, a handful of players stand out as the true pillars of the era. Here are the five we believe define this movement.

1. CB Joey Porter Jr.

Porter Jr. has become the defining force of the Steelers’ new defensive identity, stepping fully into CB1 territory with a pseudo‑All‑Pro season in 2025. He was outright dominant in coverage, posting 14 pass breakups, a 48.5% completion rate allowed, and a 57.2 passer rating against. Opponents couldn’t crack him — he didn’t allow a single receiving touchdown all year. He’s the kind of lockdown corner who lets the entire defense play on its front foot, dictating matchups instead of reacting to them.

2. EDGE Nick Herbig

Herbig’s new contract firmly establishes him as the Steelers’ long‑term anchor on the edge. His combination of speed, flexibility, and sustained pursuit provides Pittsburgh with a young, high‑end pass‑rush presence capable of operating alongside former All‑Pro T.J. Watt now and eventually succeeding him. His addition expands the defense’s structural versatility, enabling more varied fronts and a deeper menu of simulated‑pressure concepts. In every respect, Herbig stands as the foundational piece of the Steelers’ future edge group.

3. C Zach Frazier

Frazier is the stabilizing force of the Steelers offense, finally giving Pittsburgh a modern, athletic centerpiece at center. His command of protections elevates the entire unit and allows the scheme to expand. The run game becomes cleaner, the pass game becomes structurally sound, and the offense gains a foundation it can build on for a decade. He’s the heartbeat of the offensive rebuild.

4. DT Derrick Harmon

Harmon is the true heir to Cam Heyward’s role, the leverage‑driven interior anchor who defines the physical identity of the defense. His blend of power, technique, and two‑gap control stabilizes the front and lets Pittsburgh play lighter boxes. Paired with Benton, he forms a balanced interior duo built for modern football. Harmon is the next foundational tone‑setter up front.

5. OL Troy Fautanu

Fautanu is the versatility multiplier of the offensive line, a rare athlete who can play guard or tackle at a high level. His movement skills open up wide‑zone, play‑action, and modern spacing concepts the Steelers couldn’t run before. He gives the offense flexibility in how it structures protections and run schemes. Fautanu is the blueprint for the new Steelers trenches.

Notable mention(s): DT Darnell Washington, LB Payton Wilson, DT Keeanu Benton, OL Mason McCormick, and LB Jack Sawyer.