The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted tight end Pat Freiermuth in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The Penn State product was fortunate to play his rookie season alongside veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Freiermuth made an immediate impact, recording 60 receptions for 497 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year with the team.
After hearing his name called on draft night, Freiermuth went out to celebrate the accomplishment with friends and family. The next morning, still recovering from the night before, he received an unexpected phone call. During an appearance on the Next Up With Adam podcast, Freiermuth detailed a funny story about getting that call from Roethlisberger while he was still half-asleep and feeling the effects of the celebration.
Although he was groggy and caught off guard, Freiermuth said the moment felt surreal. Speaking with the Steelers' longtime franchise quarterback for the first time made everything feel real, even if he wasn’t in the best shape to take the call. It was a welcome-to-the-NFL moment that stuck with him long after his rookie season.
"I remember I got drafted and then I went out that night and I was hungover," Freiermuth said. "So he calls me at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and I am asleep and I wake up to it like, 'Hello?' He was like, 'Are you sleeping?' I said no and he was like this is Ben Roethlisberger and I was just like wow. I looked at my mom like, what? And so from that point on, we got a really good relationship."
It’s completely normal for a player to celebrate after getting drafted, but Freiermuth receiving his first call from Roethlisberger while battling a hangover is the kind of moment that becomes instant legend. Though their time together lasted just one season, Freiermuth would have likely welcomed the chance to play alongside Roethlisberger for many more.
Their connection went beyond the field, and Freiermuth recalled another memorable moment that came after a tough loss to the Minnesota Vikings in his rookie season. In the aftermath of the game, Roethlisberger’s leadership stood out once again.
Despite Freiermuth being visibly upset, Roethlisberger sat down next to him at his locker and offered words of encouragement. It was a small, but powerful gesture that stuck with Freiermuth and highlighted the kind of teammate and mentor Roethlisberger was during his final season and his NFL career.
"I will always remember after that Minnesota game where obviously you know I was upset, he came up to me in my locker and sat me down," Freiermuth said. "He was like, 'Hey, I am always going to come back to you at that moment.' That always stood out to me. That was the type of guy he is. He was an awesome mentor and an awesome guy I look up to."
Many Steelers fans often wonder what Freiermuth’s career trajectory might look like if he had the chance to play alongside a prime Roethlisberger. Since Roethlisberger’s retirement, the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh has been uncertain, making it difficult for Freiermuth to fully showcase his talents.
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Looking For A True Breakout Year With Aaron Rodgers
During the 2024 season, Freiermuth saw more opportunities and performed well when called upon, but many fans hoped to see even more production from the young tight end.
With the arrival of Aaron Rodgers for the 2025 season, expectations are high that Freiermuth will finally have the chance to deliver a true breakout year. The now 41-year-old quarterback will need to rely on Freiermuth in the 2025 season.
