The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted tight end Pat Freiermuth in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Over his three seasons with the Steelers, Freiermuth has amassed 155 receptions for 1,537 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. In his rookie season, he enjoyed the benefit of catching passes from star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, scoring a career-high seven touchdowns. However, in the following two seasons without Roethlisberger, he managed only four combined touchdowns.
Freiermuth has not been a focal point in the offense, which struggled significantly in 2022 and 2023. Now, in 2024, Arthur Smith has taken over as the new offensive coordinator. Smith is known for heavily involving tight ends in his offensive schemes, which bodes well for Freiermuth. It's anticipated that Freiermuth will play a major role in the receiving game this season.
Freiermuth is entering the final year of his four-year, $6 million rookie deal and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season. This situation presents the Steelers with a tough decision on where to allocate specific resources. Freiermuth has shown considerable potential, but has not yet been in the ideal situation to fully realize it. This year could be the perfect opportunity for Freiermuth to shine just before his contract expires.
Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joined The PM Team with Poni & Mueller on Thursday and shared his insights on the Steelers' plans for Freiermuth. When asked if he believes the organization will make an effort to re-sign Freiermuth after 2024, Fittipaldo provided his perspective on the matter.
“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 considers a Chicago Bears tight end as a benchmark for how much the Steelers might have to pay to retain Freiermuth. Cole Kmet, who was also a second-round pick, has played in the NFL for four years.
During his 67 games, Kmet has recorded 211 receptions for 2,118 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. His performance provides a good comparison for the type of deal Freiermuth may command.
“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.”
The 2024 season will bring a lot of pressure on the Steelers, but it's also a crucial year for Freiermuth. He needs to have a standout season to ensure he stays in Pittsburgh and secures the best deal possible for himself. With the best situation since his rookie year, and if he can stay healthy, he should be poised for a major role in the Steelers' receiving game.
This offseason, the Steelers made a significant move by trading away Diontae Johnson. Despite numerous rumors and reports about bringing in a star wide receiver to replace Johnson, that never materialized. The Steelers now need a receiver to draw attention away from George Pickens, and Freiermuth has the ability to play a major part in the offense.
He has struggled as a blocker but will need to improve in that area in 2024 under Smith's system. There's hope that he can make progress. Given the similarities in style between Freiermuth and Kmet, it would make sense for the Steelers to invest in Freiermuth at a close a little under that.
Steelers' Darnell Washington Could Have A Bigger Impact In 2024
The Steelers don't have many options in the tight end room outside of Freiermuth. They have made efforts signing a veteran and a guy who has never played a snap in the NFL. But the room outside of Freiermuth is grim.
While the Steelers have Darnell Washington, who primarily serves as a blocking tight end, he also has the potential to be a significant part of the receiving game. It will be interesting to see if his role in the passing game expands under Smith's guidance. Regardless, the Steelers appear committed to keeping Freiermuth in Pittsburgh.
