TE Pat Freiermuth frustrated, but not losing sleep over reduced role in Steelers offense
For the second time this season, tight end Pat Freiermuth played fewer than 20 snaps in a game. He also wasn’t targeted once in either instance, the Steelers’ 26-7 loss to Buffalo on Sunday being the latest example of his disappearance from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense.
The next time Freiermuth criticizes offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s play calling or usage, however, will be the first.
“Yeah, it’s obviously frustrating, but at the end of the day I have complete faith in Arthur,” Freiermuth said Wednesday. “We have a good relationship and understanding of what his thoughts were for the game plan.”
Freiermuth played 17 snaps against Buffalo, his second-lowest playing time of his five-year career. He played 15 snaps in Dublin in September when the Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings.
Freiermuth watched Darnell Washington (34 snaps) and Jonnu Smith (23) get more playing time against Buffalo. Freiermuth’s playing time has dipped from logging a career-high 69% of the offensive plays in 2024 to 48% this season. Washington, meantime, has played a career-high 61% of the snaps in his third NFL season. Smith, acquired in a late June trade from Miami, has played 58% of the snaps.
“You don’t lose too much sleep over it,” Freiermuth said. “I have to understand my role and hopefully it changes going forward. We have to get be able to go out there and do what is asked of me.”
Freiermuth has caught 26 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns this season. He was not among the eight players targeted in the passing game against the Bills, and he watched the Steelers bring in another pass catcher Tuesday when they claimed 35-year-old wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers.
“He’s had a hell of a career in the NFL,” Freiermuth said. “Anything he can to help us win games is much appreciated.”
The Steelers (6-6) will try to snap a two-game losing streak Sunday in Baltimore when they face the Ravens (6-6) in a game that will determine first place in the AFC North. The Steelers lost twice in Baltimore last season, ending their season with a defeat in the wild-card playoff round.
“It’s definitely my favorite game to play in,” Freiermuth said. “With the recent history … there’s a lot of urgency to this game, and we’re excited.”
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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