Steelers A to Z: On 2nd contract and in TE-friendly offense, will Pat Freiermuth break out?

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

TE PAT FREIERMUTH

Experience/age: 5th season, 26

Contract status: $12.9 million cap hit in 2025, signed through 2028

The past: After leaving Penn State as the career leader in receiving touchdowns by a tight end, Freiermuth was the Steelers’ second-round pick in 2021. He quickly ascended to TE1 status and as a rookie was second on the team (regardless of position) in touchdown catches with seven. He also was third in catches and receiving yards. In Year 2, he was second on the team in receptions and third in yards. Though injuries hindered Freiermuth’s production in 2023, last season Freiermuth led the Steelers in catches (65) and receiving touchdowns (seven) and was second in receiving yards (653).

The longest-tenured offensive player on the team, Freiermuth and the Steelers last September agreed on a four-year contract extension that added $48.4 million in compensation. His 220 receptions are the most by a tight end in franchise history over his first four NFL seasons.

2025 outlook: Freiermuth had what could be marginally characterized as a “career year” in 2024 — his most catches and tied for the most touchdowns, second in yards among any of his four NFL seasons. That was not unexpected after not only his contract extension but also because Arthur Smith took over as offensive coordinator. Smith is known for an affinity for tight ends, and that played out in that the Steelers deployed more tight ends per play, in aggregate, than any team in the league. That said, Freiermuth’s numbers were hardly eye-popping. Smith’s influence tended to more affect the production of the team’s other tight ends such as Darnell Washington and (the since departed) MyCole Pruitt.

Could the second year under Smith be another chance for a true Freiermuth breakout? With Washington deserving of snaps, Connor Heyward still on the roster and even undrafted rookie JJ Galbreath showing promise, tight ends figure to continue being emphasized even under a new quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. The loss of veteran Donald Parham for the season could affect Freiermuth — and the team’s flirtation with the likes of Jonnu Smith could, too.

If Freiermuth doesn’t take a complete star turn in Year 5, he probably never will – and that’s OK. He’s reliable, an adequate blocker and generally displays good hands. Popular in the locker room, Freiermuth is a fringe candidate for a piece of the offensive captaincy.

Freiermuth might never turn into a Travis Kelce or George Kittle, but he perhaps some day sneak his way into a Pro Bowl berth. And he can continue to be a valuable, steadying piece of any offense.