Behind the Steel Curtain
Pat Freiermuth has seven catches for 65 yards and no touchdowns for the Steelers over the first four games of 2025. Aaron Rodgers had only targeted Freiermuth 10 times.
It’s a puzzling reality for one of the Steelers’ top targets, especially a well-respected and well-compensated one.
Freiermuth signed a four-year, $48.4 million extension prior to the 2024 season and is the ninth-highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
Mike Tomlin said at his weekly press conference on Tuesday that schematics are matchup-based.
“We have a certain personality, particularly when we play 4-3 (front) teams,” Tomlin said. “I haven’t been bashful about that. That’s why we drafted Darnell Washington.”
Freiermuth only played 13 offensive snaps against the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland. Washington played 48 snaps, the most of any skill position player. The Vikings’ four defensive linemen alignment shifted the Steelers’ game plan towards 6-foot-7, 264-pound Washington.
“You can’t play 4-3 teams with 250-pound tight ends. You can’t,” Tomlin said. “Their weight class is in combat sports for a reason. When the edge people are 300 pounds, you better have somebody out there that looks like that animal. That was our intention (against) Minnesota.”
The Steelers’ course of attack paid off. In the absence of running back Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Arthur Smith’s offense combined for 131 yards rushing.
“It’s unfair at times to ask guys like Pat Freiermuth and Connor (Heyward) to block 4-3 ends,” Tomlin said. “That’s not realistic if you want to have a really good run game day.”
The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers’ next two opponents, both play base 4-3 defenses. Could the limited play and production for Freiermuth continue??
“As we move into divisional play in the next couple of weeks and we’re playing two 4-3 teams, chances are you’re going to see more of that,” Tomlin said.
In his last two games, Freiermuth has one catch for six yards. He was not targeted in Ireland against the Vikings.
The 6-foot-5 target from Penn State has underperformed, but hasn’t been utilized very much through four games. He doesn’t seem to be on the same page as Aaron Rodgers, with Rodgers visibly working out the kinks with Freiermuth during games. Even tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (16) played more snaps during last week’s win.
Tomlin didn’t sound eager to say that will soon change.
“I’m not talking about the totality of four games, but certainly last week,” Tomlin said. “The matchup component has a lot to do with how we distribute snaps at that position.”
The Steelers host the Browns on Sunday at 1 p.m.
