First Call: Pat Freiermuth says Steelers offense 'didn't have hots'; Cam Sutton wants to stay; NFL salary cap revealed

In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Pat Freiermuth has an interesting detail about the Pittsburgh Steelers offense in 2022. Cornerback Cam Sutton expresses a desire to stay in Pittsburgh before hitting free agency. Plus, a Penn State wide receiver is starting to get some attention from scouts.

Also, the NFL has revealed the 2023 salary cap number. And, as we await Brian Flores’ future, there is some new competition for the Arizona Cardinals coaching job.

Say what?

There was a lot of discussion about how simplified the Steelers offense was in 2022 with rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett running it as opposed to 18-year vet Ben Roethlisberger.

How vanilla was it? Well, according to Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers offense didn’t include hot routes. The second-year tight end made that admission during a recent episode of Roethlisberger’s “Footbahlin’” podcast.

“It’s different because we didn’t have hots,” Freiermuth said. “With you, how many times did we have a concept and you looked (at Diontae Johnson) and gave a signal and it’d be a 12-yard completion. We didn’t have that this year.”

Freiermuth said the adjustment for pass catchers came at the line of scrimmage. In 2021, they would normally wait for Roethlisberger to read what the defense was showing. In 2022, they were just running into the coverage instead of waiting for the quarterback to modify the routes based on the look.

“So instead of looking at you the whole time, we were looking at coverage — like, I know what I’m supposed to do. It was almost too slow at first because (we) weren’t anticipating. With you, we could see cover zero and you would give us a ‘Ram’ (read away from ‘Mike’ linebacker) route. So that was probably the most different between (Roethlisberger and Pickett),” Freiermuth continued.

Freiermuth’s revelation underscores a complaint many Steelers fans had all year about Matt Canada’s offense: If Pickett’s strongest attributes are allegedly his intelligence, savvy, poise and ability to process defenses, why was the offense so simplified for him when it came to potentially getting into better plays depending on the defensive look he was facing?

More sports

• Tim Benz: The Penguins 'roadies' need to do more to support 'the band'
• Pitt football will face difficult schedule in 2023
• Via big plays, eye-popping catches, George Pickens delivered during rookie season for Steelers

Sutton wants to stay

It sure sounds like free-agent-to-be Cam Sutton wants to stay in Pittsburgh. During an interview with Dale Lolley of Steelers.com, the cornerback claimed that moving from team to team isn’t his desire.

“I’m not a guy always being on the move. I just want to be around,” Sutton said. “I feel like I’ve established a lot here. Seeing so much ball year in, year out — just a comfortability of guys in the system.”

Sutton made it sound like he feels there is unfinished business with the Steelers he’d like to complete.

“We were just coming together at the right time. Just out of time though,” Sutton said of missing the playoffs despite a 7-2 finish to the 2022 season.

Sutton had a career-high three interceptions and 15 passes defended in 2022. He signed a two-year contract to remain in Pittsburgh before the 2021 season. It was worth $9 million.

Put on your cap

The NFL salary-cap number is set. It’ll be $224.8 million per team for the upcoming season. That’s up from $208.2 million per club this year.

It’s also a big jump from a $182.5 million ceiling in 2021. That was because of attendance and revenue issues stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

This increase reflects a boost in revenue thanks to new network broadcasting contracts set to begin in the 2023 season.

The one-year franchise and transition tag numbers are also now known. Via ProFootballTalk.com, quarterback is the highest positional hit at $32,416,000. Teams can place the tags on one player per year to prevent unfettered free agency. However, those tags allow a player to negotiate with other teams and sign an offer sheet. If the player’s current team doesn’t match the offer, the new team yields two first-round picks.

The Steelers are unlikely to franchise any of their current players. However, for those in Pittsburgh wondering if the Buffalo Bills may franchise Tremaine Edmunds, the linebacker number is $20,926,000. Edmunds is a potential free agent commodity many Steelers fans seem to covet.

Franchise tags can be applied starting Feb. 21. The new league year officially begins March 15.

What’s left?

Steelers defensive assistant Brian Flores did not get the defensive coordinator job with the Atlanta Falcons. But he is still up for a few other coaching gigs, including as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

He has some more competition for that post, though. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is interviewing Tuesday for that same position.

Pelissero says that Kafka also is a candidate for the Indianapolis Colts job and previously interviewed with the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans. This past season was his first as a play caller.

The NFL Network is also reporting that Arizona wants to interview Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.

As for Flores, he’s also in the mix for the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator’s job.

Tinsley time

The Steelers may need a receiver at some point in the draft. One player who may be moving up NFL draft boards is Penn State wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley. He stood out at the NFLPA Bowl and is now opening eyes at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas.

WR Mitchell Tinsley (Penn State) has had a heck of a last week.

Another good look at his skillset vs Kei’Trel Clark (Louisville). pic.twitter.com/ObzJVq14bX

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) January 30, 2023

Tinsley had 577 yards on 51 catches to go along with five touchdowns in Happy Valley this year. He was also a prime target of Bailey Zappe’s at Western Kentucky in 2021, totaling 1,402 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound pass catcher transferred to State College after two years at WKU and two years at Hutchinson CC.

The Shrine Bowl is Thursday in Las Vegas. NFL.com says Zay Flowers of Boston College is another wideout who popped.