Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Grateful For New Additions But Said Team Was Already "All In To Go Win"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long tradition of excellence, supported by their six Lombardi Trophies. It goes without saying that their goal every season is to make it to and win a Super Bowl. Of course, it is not that easy. A lot goes into winning a championship, everything from making the right choices of players and coaches to assessing your opponents correctly, and all of that is topped off with a bit of luck. 

There are some seasons that just feel different, and the 2024 season is one of those for Pittsburgh. While the team has not been considered a serious contender so far this season, they are gaining respect based on how well they have been playing. Russell Wilson's elevation of the offense has been a real positive. While Justin Fields managed to get the team to 4-2, they struggled with the passing game. 

Wilson has been spreading the ball out, getting more receivers and tight ends involved, including Pat Freiermuth. The fourth-year tight end recently told the media after Wednesday's practice that despite what people might think, he is doing all he can to support it. According to Chris Adamski from TribLIVE, Freiermuth said the team is taking this season seriously and working to win it all. He said that the team did not need the front office to send a message to the players by making trades for veterans. They were already working on that goal.  

"We knew that from the beginning," said Freiermuth. "We know we have to win playoff games, that was our goal coming into this year. So anytime the front office can add pieces that they think can help us win, it's obviously cool. But we knew from the start that we were all in to go win this thing this year.'"

The Steelers have never had a losing season under Head Coach Mike Tomlin, and considering they were 6-2 heading into the bye, it seems unlikely that will happen this season. However, they have failed to win a playoff game since the 2016 season, when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional game. They lost to the eventual Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. 

Steelers owner and team President Art Rooney II said last season that the team has to find its way back to championship-level success. In recent years, playoff wins, or lack thereof, have been a polarizing topic in Pittsburgh. The Steelers franchise has always been loyal to its players and coaches, evidenced by the fact that they have only had three head coaches in more than 50 years.  

It raises the question of how long Tomlin will be allowed to remain at the helm if he doesn't win a playoff game and if he needs a playoff win in 2024 to cement his spot in the Hall of Fame. 

Several players on the team are overdue for a playoff win, like T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alex Highsmith, and Najee Harris. Other players like Cameron Heyward and Chris Boswell have contributed to playoff wins, but not nearly as many as they deserve, given their talent.   

Steelers Front Office Added New Depth Pieces

The veterans Freiermuth refers to are wide receiver Mike Williams, who was traded from the New York Jets, and linebacker Preston Smith, who was traded from the Green Bay Packers. Pittsburgh made a lot of solid acquisitions during the 2024 offseason, but it is impossible to predict everything that will happen, and the team found themselves lacking needed depth. 

Both Williams and Smith will provide much-needed support in their respective rooms. Williams will be able to provide another big-bodied target for Wilson and be available if anyone is injured. Smith will round out the linebacker room that has been short-staffed all season, particularly with Nick Herbig out with an injury. This has meant that Watt and Highsmith have played way more snaps than they should, wearing them down and weakening the defense. 

How do you think the Steelers will fare in the playoffs this season? Click to comment below. 

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