Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Admits He Delivered A Message To Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a position no fan from the Steel City would hope for. With just a few weeks until the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers haven't reached on a contract with Aaron Rodgers, or any starting-caliber quarterback for that matter. After acquiring DK Metcalf via trade, the Steelers' offense has a plethora of play-makers through the passing game. Rodgers hasn't committed to a 2025 season filled with passes to Metcalf, George Pickens, and Pat Freiermuth, but Pittsburgh's tight end recently confirmed he reached out to the former four-time MVP.

Initially, it didn't seem very likely that Rodgers would end up playing for Pittsburgh in 2025. After Russell Wilson and Justin Fields found new homes in New York during free agency, Rodgers became the Steelers' only viable free agent option at quarterback. Speculation grew surrounding the possibility of Rodgers joining the Minnesota Vikings, but Rodgers' former NFC North rival hasn't expressed immense interest back. It now comes down to signing with the Steelers and throwing to guys like Freiermuth or entering retirement and concluding a historic career. 

On Wednesday, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly had Freiermuth as a guest on his X live stream. Pittsburgh's favorite tight end then revealed that he has reached out to Rodgers recently, as the world waits for a decision. 

"I was in Ireland again, had a few, and just said, I'll [direct message] him," Freiermuth told Kaboly. "He actually got back relatively fast. It was cool just to go back and forth with him for a little bit. You know, get to know him a little bit. He had some questions. It was cool. Haven't talked to him since, but obviously he has a decision to make. Definitely gonna respect his process and whatever he sees as the best."

Freiermuth seems to be all in on the Steelers signing Rodgers. Freiermuth hasn't had a tight end-friendly quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger's final season. Wilson was seemingly frightened to throw the ball across the middle of the field, which lessened Freiermuth's targets in the second half of 2024. Prior to Wilson being the quarterback, Fields also wasn't getting him the ball a whole bunch either in his six-game span as the starter. Kenny Pickett tried getting him the ball often, but the offense between Pickett and Matt Canada was completely broken. 

It will certainly become a major issue if Rodgers doesn't sign with the Black and Gold in the end. While it seems likely that the Steelers will plan to select a quarterback in the upcoming draft regardless of Rodgers' decision, the Steelers will be left with a rookie and Mason Rudolph for 2025 if Rodgers doesn't commit. For the better of the organization, the Steelers need Rodgers to make his decision soon and before the draft. 

Steelers Quarterback Mason Rudolph May Actually Be Week 1 Starter

When the Steelers signed Rudolph, the majority of the fan base instantly labeled him as the certified number two backup quarterback. If the Steelers whiff on the Rodgers signing, they may not want to instantly make a rookie quarterback their starter. Much like Pickett's situation, it took him a few weeks of sitting behind Mitch Trubisky before becoming the starter as a rookie. Obviously, Pickett's time with the Steelers was cut short and became a disastrous situation. 

Rudolph's 3-0 finish to the 2023 regular season gives him a great chance of lining up under center during the 2025 regular season. He led the Steelers into the playoffs after Pickett went down with a knee injury and gave the Steel City hope and excitement. If Rodgers is not a Steeler, would you be all in on Rudolph getting the ball while the rookie develops? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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