Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is entering the 2025 season with renewed confidence, and a four-time NFL MVP throwing him the football in Aaron Rodgers.
In a recent appearance on the Around the 412 podcast with Zachary Smith of Steelers Now, Freiermuth praised new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, calling it a privilege to share a locker room with the four-time NFL MVP.
“I’m just excited to be in the locker room with him,” Freiermuth said. “He’s a four-time MVP, arguably one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. He’s one of the best pure passers, and just watching him in practice, throwing the ball, man, it’s awesome.”
Freiermuth is heading into the fifth year of his NFL career and fifth season with a different starting quarterback. He opened up about his team’s constant turnover at the most important position at minicamp.
“It’s tough,” Freiermuth said. “Obviously, we’re looking for whoever can help us compete and win a Super Bowl, so I embrace the challenge. It’s difficult, but … I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Freiermuth began his professional career with future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger as his quarterback. But he has since had Mitchell Trubisky (2022), Kenny Pickett (2023) and Justin Fields (2024) as his Week 1 starters. Mason Rudolph and Russell Wilson have also started several games during the span.
There’s still a lot of catching up to do for Rodgers and the Steelers after he took nearly three months to make a decision this offseason. Freiermuth is not worried, though.
“Yeah, there’s more than enough time,” Freiermuth said. “He’s been in the league for 20 plus years, and so, he has a way of doing things. It’s just more so us getting caught up to what he does and him getting caught up to what we do as an offense. There’s a lot of time between now and September, whenever our first game is. We’ve got plenty of time to build that chemistry.”
Freiermuth, DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek also went out to Malibu to train with Rodgers earlier this month.
With Rodgers under center, Freiermuth could be primed for a breakout season. The Steelers’ 1,648 receiving yards over the middle of the field ranked 31st in 2024, according to Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus. Wilson and Fields just did not attack the middle. That is expected to change with the four-time NFL MVP at QB.
6-foot-5, 258 Pounds, 26 Years Old, Fifth Season
Acquired: The Steelers drafted Pat Freiermuth with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Last Year: Freiermuth caught 65 passes for 653 receiving yards (10.0 average) and seven touchdowns in 2024. His 653 receiving yards ranked 12th among NFL tight ends.
Career: In 2021, Freiermuth assumed the starting tight end position following the retirement of Vance McDonald. In Week 1, he started his first game against the Buffalo Bills...
