Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth joined the Steel City in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. While his first three years in Pittsburgh have been solid, they haven't fully met the high expectations of Steelers fans. Over this period, Freiermuth has recorded 155 receptions for 1,537 receiving yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
In his rookie season, he scored seven touchdowns, benefiting from catching passes from Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger. However, since Roethlisberger's retirement, Freiermuth has caught just four touchdowns in two seasons. With Arthur Smith now serving as the Steelers' new offensive coordinator and a shortage of weapons in the wide receiver room, Freiermuth is poised for a potential breakout year in 2024. Smith's reputation for involving tight ends heavily in the offense should greatly benefit Freiermuth.
Since entering the NFL, Freiermuth has dealt with a significant number of injuries, totaling seven. His first two seasons included concussions, which are not uncommon for tight ends. In 2023, he missed time due to a hamstring/thigh injury and was placed on Injured Reserve in late September. Additionally, he suffered a chest sternum bruise in the season opener of that year. One of Freiermuth's primary goals during the 2024 offseason was to prepare himself to avoid further injuries and stay on the field.
In an interview with Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Freiermuth discussed his offseason adjustments. He revealed that his injury history prompted him to make significant changes to better protect his health and ensure his availability for the team.
“I missed time last year, and it was unfortunate. But it did force me to look at my process and what I can do to stay healthy.”
Freiermuth was only able to play in 12 games in 2023, starting nine of them. It turned out to be his worst season as a pro, largely due to a poor offensive system. This is expected to change in the 2024 season, making it crucial for Freiermuth to do everything possible to stay on the field. He detailed the program and diet he followed to reduce inflammation and ensure full muscle recovery.
“We did a two-week program where we just reset my body to figure out what’s firing and what’s not working as well and get that back to where it’s supposed to be,” Freiermuth said. “From there, we progressed into more segmented movements. I love this stuff. I could talk about it for days.”
As Organized Team Activities (OTAs) got underway, Freiermuth impressed his coaches with his route-running and speed. At 6'5" and 258 pounds, any increase in speed would significantly enhance his prospects for the 2024 season. Freiermuth's attention to detail and hard work have already begun to pay off early in the offseason.
“One of the coaches said that I looked faster and smoother in my routes,” Freiermuth said. “Not as choppy as I used to [be].”
The Steelers made the decision to trade away their star wide receiver Diontae Johnson early in the offseason. They still have George Pickens, who is set for a breakout season as the primary wide receiver for the first time in his career. However, he will need significant support. The Steelers are counting on Freiermuth to step up and become a major receiving threat in 2024.
Steelers Will Need Pat Freiermuth To Be Big Time In 2024
If Freiermuth can replicate his rookie season's performance, the Steelers' offense will be in good hands. Freiermuth will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season, and the Steelers are likely hoping to secure a solid deal to keep him in Pittsburgh. This puts considerable pressure on Freiermuth to have an even better season than his impressive rookie year.
The timing for Freiermuth is ideal, as he is in a much better situation than in the past two seasons. He has committed to improving his diet and ensuring his muscles are functioning optimally. Steelers fans are hopeful this will translate into a stellar year for the young tight end in 2024.
