The Pittsburgh Steelers had a handful of contract extensions they were expected to finalize this past offseason, including Najee Harris, Cameron Heyward, and Pat Freiermuth. It surprised many when the team announced mid-summer that they were declining to pick up Harris' fifth-year option.
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Steelers' Cameron Heyward.
When no deal was announced with Heyward and Freiermuth, people were curious if their deals were going to be completed at all. Heyward was coming off a serious injury in the 2023 season, so it seemed reasonable that the team might want to wait and see how healthy he was when he returned. Freiermuth also suffered an injury to his hamstring in 2023, but returned faster than Heyward and is younger.
Then, the Steelers announced they worked out an extension with Heyward. They agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal that includes $16 million fully guaranteed. This makes sense, as Heyward was set to make $16 million in 2024 on his previous contract. He will remain a Steeler until 2026, allowing him to retire in black and gold as he always wished.
How unlikely! Yet here we are. Thanks @steelers pic.twitter.com/KZ3rNDhlbT
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) September 3, 2024
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ray Fittipaldo joined the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show and discussed the Heyward contract, which he called low-risk for all parties. The show host, Adam Crowley, asked Fittipaldo how long until Freiermuth signs.
"Yeah, any day now," said Fittipaldo. "I do think it's gonna happen. I think Pat is obviously the more important contract here. Probably gonna be their number two receiver this year. He's young, he's a good player. I think that will get done. Timetable? Probably later this week."
The Steelers' new Offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, is well known for his usage of tight ends. After trading Diontae Johnson, the franchise failed to pick up a solid number two receiver to partner with George Pickens. While Head Coach Mike Tomlin said in his pregame press conference earlier this week that he has full faith in Scotty Miller and Van Jefferson, others believe that Freiermuth will be expected to step up into that spot as a second receiving option behind Pickens.
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Steelers' Pat Freiermuth looks on during a game.
Recently, Freiermuth said that he is optimistic that the contract negotiations will be finalized before the start of the season. The Steelers are known for their refusal to engage in contract negotiations during the season, so if it doesn't happen before they take the field against the Atlanta Falcons, then it's unlikely to happen until after the season. Fittipaldo added that it isn't unusual for the Steelers to wait until the very last second to get players signed.
"It was funny, we were talking to Cam on Monday about these contracts and how things seem to get done closer to the end of the week than the beginning," added Fittipaldo. "Cam got his done, but he also brought up that when Cam was young, Troy Polamalu signed his contract right before they got on a flight to Baltimore on a Saturday, right before they played the Ravens on a Sunday. I remember Cortez Allen signed at like 10 o'clock at night on Saturday, a couple hours before the Steelers' self-imposed deadline."
Freiermuth is entering his fourth season in Pittsburgh, where he was selected in the second round in 2021. During that time, he had made 155 receptions for 1,537 yards and 11 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Freiermuth has also shown to be injury-prone—more concerning than the hamstring is the three concussions he has had. Draft Sharks predicts him to have an 88.3% chance of injury in 2024 and projects he will miss just over three games.
Other Steelers Players Need To Take Note
A player who has been around as long as Heyward has seen the Steelers brass ink many deals over the years. While the team may have always drawn negotiations out until the last minute, they make the decisions that are in the best interest of the franchise.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers' George Pickens.
This should give other team players the motivation they need to have career seasons. As Fittipaldo pointed out, "If you produce, you get paid." While Harris is certainly going to work to prove himself and get a contract in Pittsburgh, or even somewhere else, receiver Pickens should also be paying attention.
When do you think the Steelers will sign a new deal with Freiermuth? Click to comment below.
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