Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth Could Be Deceived By Arthur Smith’s Plan: “Siphon Targets Away From [Him]”

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth, has played three seasons in the NFL. His career began with the privilege of catching passes from the legendary quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. As a rookie, Freiermuth caught 60 passes for 497 yards and seven touchdowns. However, since Roethlisberger's retirement, Freiermuth has only scored a total of four touchdowns over the following two seasons. He recently completed a season marred by injuries and inconsistent performance.

In 2023, Freiermuth recorded just 32 receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Heading into 2024, he will be playing the final year of his rookie contract. His agent is keen to avoid contract negotiations after a down season like 2023. New Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith is known for his affinity for tight ends. This has led many pundits to predict a breakout year for Freiermuth under Smith's guidance.

However, not everyone is convinced that Freiermuth will be the primary focus. Chris Adamski of Trib Live speculated that Smith may not target Freiermuth as much as fans and pundits are expecting in 2024.

“New coordinator, Arthur Smith is known for having a penchant for tight ends. That both works for and against Freiermuth because Smith during his time as a play-caller for the Atlanta Falcons, deployed multiple-tight end sets more than any other team in the league. And the Steelers have a deep group at the position in Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington, free agent signee MyCole Pruitt and even Rodney Williams. Pruitt, in particular, has followed Smith around the league. Will they siphon targets away from Freiermuth?”

Pittsburgh boasts a somewhat deep tight end room, including players such as Darnell Washington, who is primarily known for his exceptional blocking abilities, and Connor Heyward, a versatile player with significant potential. 

Additionally, they acquired MyCole Pruitt during the offseason, further strengthening their lineup. Pruitt, having followed Smith to several of his previous teams, brings a wealth of experience and familiarity with Smith's system. Under Smith's guidance, Pruitt began scoring touchdowns consistently, highlighting his effectiveness within this offensive framework.

When a roster is packed with multiple talented tight ends, it is common for these players to share targets, potentially limiting individual statistics. However, as Adamski pointed out, Smith led the league in utilizing multiple tight end sets last year as the Atlanta Falcons head coach, a strategy that maximizes the strengths of each player. 

Despite high expectations for the incredibly athletic Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, he received only 53 targets, amassing 667 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the 2023 season. Meanwhile, Jonnu Smith, the Falcons' second tight end, recorded 50 receptions for 582 receiving yards and three touchdowns. This comparable production suggests that while Pitts may be more talented, Smith's system ensures that both tight ends are heavily involved.

This trend might indicate that although Freiermuth is clearly the Steelers' top receiving tight end, he might not command as many targets as fans and pundits are expecting in the 2024 season. Smith’s preference for involving his tight ends by committee could lead to a more balanced distribution of opportunities among the players.

Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Is Playing For His Future In Pittsburgh

Freiermuth, who is playing for his future in Pittsburgh, is expected to have an increased workload in 2024. It will be a significant storyline throughout the offseason to see if Pittsburgh secures a new deal with him before the season starts. The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating with players during the season, which adds an element of urgency to these discussions.

After experiencing a down year, Freiermuth is set to play in the best offensive system since his rookie season. With new quarterbacks in town and a system that should feature him favorably, he is poised to have the best season of his career and live up to his second-round pick status. 

As the room is filled with capable tight ends, it will be fascinating to see how Smith decides to split up the targets in 2024. This approach not only keeps the defense guessing but also ensures that all the tight ends stay engaged and productive throughout the season.

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