Steelers' Omar Khan "Has Been Frugal" But Needs To Extend Pat Freiermuth Immediately

The Pittsburgh Steelers front office and General Manager Omar Khan should be fairly active during training camp when it comes to contract talks with some of their players. Cam Heyward, Pat Freiermuth, and Najee Harris are all heading into the final year of their respective contracts, and it would benefit Pittsburgh to lock up some of them past the 2024 season. Freiermuth is especially seen as a priority, as the tight end position is a strong focal point in Arthur Smith's offense.

Freiermuth has had a somewhat inconsistent career so far in Pittsburgh. He has struggled with injuries, but has also been very productive for the Steelers. He had his worst year in 2023, but he was also dealing with an offensive coordinator who didn't seem to include him in the game plan and inconsistent quarterback play. Those are two issues that should be fixed in 2024, which Steelers insider Mark Kaboly touched on in his recent article.

"Freiermuth represents exactly what Smith’s offense is all about, whether during the years he ran the Tennessee Titans’ offense or the past three seasons when he was the head coach and play-caller for the Atlanta Falcons. For the Steelers’ offense to work at its best, it needs a pass catching tight end who can provide matchup problems. Those guys don’t come around very often, so when you get one, you better keep him."

The fourth-year tight end is as reliable as they come when it comes to catching the football, while also being serviceable in the run game as a blocking tight end. Due to his inconsistent play so far however, he shouldn't break the bank for Pittsburgh. It's crucial the organization locks him up now, before he has career year in Smith's offense.

Freiermuth played great in his first two seasons. He caught seven touchdowns during his rookie year with Ben Roethlisberger in 2021, and then recorded over 730 yards in 2022. Injuries and the overall play of the offense held him back in 2023, and he is primed for a bounce back year in 2024. This is exactly why he needs to be a priority for Khan, who hasn't given out many extensions during his tenure as general manager. Kaboly spoke on this from Khan.

"General Manager Omar Khan has been frugal when it comes to committing to players for more than a year or two. Freiermuth should be an exception."

Khan has given out a few extensions during training camp before. Diontae Johnson and Chris Boswell both received extensions once camp was underway, and Alex Highsmith signed his shortly before the start of camp in 2023. Pittsburgh now has flexibility when it comes to cap space for the 2024 season and on, and it's time to start using that capitol to lock up some players for the future. Freiermuth will be an important piece of the offense, so the decision should be a no-brainer for Pittsburgh.

Steelers' Justin Fields Spoke On The Importance Of Pat Freiermuth

Justin Fields is new to Pittsburgh, and took on the starting quarterback role for the first day of training camp. This is nothing to get used to, but Russell Wilson is toughing out a calf injury that forced him to rest during the first practice. Freiermuth seemed to be one of Field's favorite targets throughout the day, and Field's spoke on his tight end in a glowing manner in a post-practice media scrum.

"One thing about Pat, he's really savvy, smart, has great hands too. When you get all those attributes in a tight end, it makes him a great player."

It's important for quarterbacks to have targets they are comfortable with and can rely upon. Freiermuth seems to be that for Fields, and he was working out with Wilson throughout the offseason as well. A clear bond has been formed between the tight end and his quarterback, which adds to the reasons his extension should be a priority for the front office.

What do you think about the Steelers extending Freiermuth? Let us know in the comments below!

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