The Pittsburgh Steelers are a franchise known for continuity. They have had just three coaches in 56 years. But the Steelers have had anything but continuity behind center in recent seasons. In fact, tight end Pat Freiermuth is entering his fifth season with the team, and in all five of those seasons, a different quarterback has started in Week 1 for Pittsburgh.
Freiermuth admitted that’s been difficult. But the veteran also sees the bigger picture for the franchise.
“It’s tough, but obviously, we’re looking for whoever can help us compete and win a Super Bowl,” Freiermuth said, via The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s YouTube channel. “So, I embrace the challenge.
“It’s difficult, but I feel like it means well for tight ends, just because we’re running certain routes. Most tight ends are running similar routes and stuff like that, so yeah, it’s fine.
“I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Freiermuth’s opportunities this season will come with Aaron Rodgers behind center. Last season with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson throwing him passes, Freiermuth posted 65 catches for 653 yards and seven touchdowns.
Rodgers Better Equipped to Use Skillset of TE Pat Freiermuth?
Freiermuth led the Steelers in receptions and touchdowns. His seven scores also matched a career high that he reached during Ben Roethlisberger’s final season in 2021.
Furthermore, the tight end’s receiving yardage was second on the team behind only George Pickens. Those are strong numbers in an offense that featured a run-first mentality.
But even with Wilson and Fields, quarterbacks who are more talented and experienced than Kenny Pickett, the Steelers often failed to utilize the middle of the field in their passing game. It’s been an ongoing issue with the organization since Roethlisberger’s retirement.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has often suggested to reporters more interceptions happen on throws over the middle of the field. So, the Steelers passing game hasn’t attack that area since the future Hall of Fame quarterback left.
But there’s also great reward over the middle for the Steelers with Freiermuth. With Rodgers, the hope has to be the team’s passing game is less conservative.
If that’s the case, Freiermuth has a chance to post some of the best statistics of his career.
Steelers QB Turnover Since Freiermuth Joined the Team
Pittsburgh’s lack of continuity behind center isn’t sustainable and helps explain why the team hasn’t won a playoff game in eight years. Teams that go five year stretches with five different quarterbacks in Week 1 aren’t going to be winning a lot.
Roethlisberger, Pickett, Fields and Mitch Trubisky have started in Week 1 the past four years. None of those quarterbacks are on the 2025 Pittsburgh roster.
But quarterback is hardly the only offensive position where the Steelers have experienced massive turnover. Freiermuth is the only Pittsburgh offensive player remaining from the Roethlisberger era.
While the end of the quarterback’s career feels like a long time ago, it really wasn’t. For a team to only have one player on offense last longer than his first contract is a huge indicator that the entire offense, not just quarterback, is constantly changing.
Nothing to going to change about the constant changes for Pittsburgh’s offense, either, at least not in the short term. Rodgers is expected to start Week 1 in 2025, and he’s only signed to a one-year deal.
