The Pittsburgh Steelers concluded their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Thursday, yet rookie center Zach Frazier remains unsigned. Despite this, it seems likely that Frazier will ink his rookie contract soon, especially given that other players selected around his draft position have already reached agreements with their respective teams.
According to the NFL’s official transaction report on Thursday, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed defensive lineman Maason Smith, and the Indianapolis Colts signed wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Smith was the 48th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Jaguars, while Mitchell was picked 52nd overall by the Colts. Frazier, who was chosen 51st overall by the Steelers, is now one of the few remaining unsigned players in this range.
The delay in Frazier’s signing is likely linked to negotiations over the percentage of his third-year guarantees. As a point of comparison, Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV recently detailed the contract terms for Mitchell, indicating that approximately 47.7% of his third-year salary is guaranteed. Additionally, 65.22% of Mitchell’s four-year contract is guaranteed, including a signing bonus of $2,191,696. Mitchell’s contract ensures full guarantees for the first two years.
Frazier’s contract, according to Over The Cap, is expected to total around $7,544,214, with a signing bonus of approximately $2,306,700. For the 2024 season, his cap charge should be about $1,371,675. Regarding his third-year guarantees, it is anticipated that around 50% of his base salary for the 2026 season will be guaranteed, though the specifics of these guarantees—whether they pertain to skill, injury, or salary cap—remain to be seen.
Earlier in the week, the Steelers signed their first-round pick, offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, to his rookie contract, leaving Frazier as the last unsigned member of their 2024 draft class. The Steelers are set to begin their mandatory minicamp next week, which adds a layer of urgency to getting Frazier under contract. It is expected that Frazier will sign before the minicamp begins or, at the latest, by the end of next week.
As the Steelers gear up for the minicamp, all eyes will be on Frazier and his impending contract. Given the signing patterns of his fellow second-round picks, the framework for his contract is becoming clearer, which should expedite the finalization process. The specifics of the guarantees in Frazier’s contract could mirror those of Mitchell’s, providing a benchmark for the negotiations.
In summary, while Zach Frazier remains unsigned, the context provided by the signings of other players in his draft range and the details of their contracts suggest that his agreement with the Steelers is imminent. The conclusion of the OTAs and the approaching minicamp add a sense of urgency, making it likely that Frazier’s contract will be finalized in the coming days.
