Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ stacked group of tight ends etched themselves into the record books on Thursday night.
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense was firing on all cylinders in their 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football, and it was in large part to their tight ends. In fact, the group was even able to make a little bit of NFL history along the way.
Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington helped the Steelers become just the second team in NFL history to have three tight ends catch a touchdown in the same game. The only other instance occurred in 2018 when Indianapolis Colts tight ends Mo Alie-Cox, Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron did so, according to Doug Clawson of CBS Sports.
The Steelers are the 2nd team in NFL history with 3 tight ends with a touchdown catch in the same game
(Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington)2018 Colts: Mo Alie-Cox, Jack Doyle, Eric Ebron
— Doug Clawson (@doug_clawson) October 17, 2025
Smith was the first tight end to find pay dirt against the Bengals as he caught the first touchdown of the game — a 10-yard pass on third-and-6. He finished the game with three catches for 28 yards and the score.
Freiermuth was the next tight end to get involved. Trailing 20-10 late in the third quarter, he caught a 19-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field.
That wasn’t Freiermuth biggest play of the game, though. He helped give the Steelers a 31-30 lead on an impressive 68-yard touchdown with just 2:31 left in the game.
68-YARD TOUCHDOWN!!!!! @pat_fry5
📺: #PITvsCIN on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/9cu7D5Kgc5
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 17, 2025
Unfortunately, Freiermuth’s 111-yard and two-touchdown performance wasn’t enough to help Pittsburgh escape with the win. Neither was Washington’s touchdown catch at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
The Steelers would likely trade their trio of tight ends making NFL history for a win, but at least it’s one of a few positive takeaways from their disappointing showing on Thursday Night Football.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Tight End Trio Makes NFL History vs. Bengals
