Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Already On The Field With New QB Russell Wilson

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense will look a lot different in the 2024 NFL season. Diontae Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers, a new offensive system will be implemented under Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, and the quarterback room is full of new faces with the additions of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen. Wilson is the front runner to be the starter to begin the 2024 season, with Fields set to be the backup. With a new quarterback comes new relationships that need to be formed between him and his offensive weapons, and the Steelers have already started that process.

Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth recently appeared on the Podward State podcast, which is a Penn State podcast hosted by students. Freiermuth spoke about his football career in college, as well as his transition to the NFL after being drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Freiermuth touched on forming new relationships with his quarterbacks when he was asked what that process looks like at the NFL level, and he shared that he is already in San Diego with Wilson and some other Steelers receivers starting to get in some on-field workouts. 

"It's just building a relationship like any relationship in life, really. Doing the extra things like going out to dinner, or eating together in the cafeteria, and watching extra film together, football specifically. Just talking things through, what the quarterback sees, the timing he is talking about, different things like that. Then obviously getting on-field reps from that perspective, being able to work out with the guys. I'm in San Diego right now with Russ and a couple of the receivers and stuff, so just building that on-field rapport, as well as off."

Forming new relationships with quarterbacks is nothing new for Freiermuth. His rookie year, he was catching passes from Ben Roethlisberger. He then had to adjust to Mitch Trubisky starting the year as his quarterback in 2022 before a rookie Kenny Pickett took over. He then ended the 2023 season catching passes from Mason Rudolph. Wilson is entering his 13th season in the NFL as a starter, so he also has the veteran experience of being introduced to new receivers and offensive weapons and knows how to build healthy relationships with new teammates.

The 2024 season is extremely important for Freiermuth as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He was a second round pick, so he has the luxury of being able to sign a larger extension, rather than waiting for the team to decide on his fifth-year option. Freiermuth only played in 12 games during the 2023 season, and had the least effective statistical season of his career so far. He recorded just 32 receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns. 

Freiermuth's usage in Matt Canada's offense was often criticized, as he didn't see many targets. When he was targeted, it was typically for short gains where Freiermuth was not set up to make a play. Roethlisberger publicly voiced his frustration with the lack of involvement Freiermuth had in the offense during the 2023 season. The fourth-year tight end should be set up for more success under Arthur Smith, especially with an experienced quarterback with an impressive track record like Wilson. 

Steelers' Freiermuth Will Be Setup For Success In Smith's Offense

Arthur Smith had his two best seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and 2020, and he never had a tight end with the same level of talent as Freiermuth. In 2019, the Titans' tight end room was a combination of MyCole Pruitt and Jonnu Smith. The duo combined for 41 catches for 529 yards and four touchdowns. In 2020, Jonnu Smith was the main tight end for Tennessee, and he finished the season with 41 receptions for 448 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Arthur Smith now has a tight end with a higher ceiling than he ever had during his time with Tennessee. His tight ends with the Titans had pretty good production, and now with a talented player like Freiermuth, the production should sky rocket.