With as many extensions as the Pittsburgh Steelers have decisions to make this Summer, it is hard actually to parse their priorities. For example, how high on the list is Cam Heyward, who is pushing for one? James Daniels was told that the team will not negotiate with him so that you can cross that one off the list. But what about Pat Freiermuth, who the team seems to have enormous plans for this season?
One Steelers insider expects Freiermuth to be one of the players who get an extension this upcoming Summer. Ray Fittipaldo appeared on 93.7 the Fan and tabs Freiermuth as a likely candidate to get a Cole Kmet-like extension from Pittsburgh this year due to how much Arthur Smith is expected to emphasize him.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth at OTAs on May 21, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
“I do. They like Pat, and Pat is a big part of this football team. I know he was injured, and I know his production was down. It might not be at the number that Pat maybe originally thought he was going to get before last season,” Fittipaldo said. “I look at the Cole Kmet deal. He plays for the Bears, and I want to say he was around $12 or $13 million on his extension last summer. I think that is a pretty good number for Freiermuth as well.”
Pat Freiermuth had a down year in 2023, largely due to a hamstring injury that knocked out half of his entire season. By the time he came back into the lineup in a significant role, Matt Canada had been fired, and the team was playing quarterback carousel.
There is an upside here, especially since Freiermuth expects himself to be used similarly to tight ends in the past during Smith’s tenures as a play caller. He is moving around the formation more than ever before, so the Steelers can expect to see a heavy dose of Freiermuth this year, and if he has a breakout season, that could skyrocket his cost.
