The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an up and down season in 2025. Near the start of the year, the team was 4-1 and had full control of the AFC North. Since then, the team has gone 2-5 and there doesn't seem to be much hope for the rest of the campaign. The outlook is bleak, and the fan base is extremely frustrated which was evident from the crowd that was in Acrisure Stadium during Pittsburgh's loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Pittsburgh can still win its division, but the team seems to have so many issues that most fans don't even care.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth makes a touchdown catch during Pittsburgh's 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals win Week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
One of the many issues with the current construction of the organization is the usage of tight end Pat Freiermuth. Freiermuth is the most complete tight end on the roster, yet there are games where he is not on the field much and doesn't see any targets. It is unlike any of his first four seasons in the league, as both Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith have played more than him in some games. Insider Ray Fittipaldo believes that Freiermuth could be moved during the 2026 offseason, or Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith will be fired. One of those two things have to happen, which is what the insider said on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday.
"Coaches have the guys they're comfortable with, their favorites," Fittipaldo said. "But for it to happen to Pat when they're paying him all that money, it's a very strange thing and it's going to be one of the top stories of the offseason. Because to me, at this point, either Freiermuth has to go, or Arthur Smith has to go. I don't see this continuing beyond this season."
This issue is magnified due to the extension that the tight end signed prior to the 2024 season. The extension keeps him with the organization through the 2028 season and is worth a total of roughly $48 million. That is a lot of money to give to a player that isn't going to be on the field for the majority of the offensive snaps.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth on the sideline prior to Pittsburgh's 31-28 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 12 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
To be clear, this doesn't fall on Freiermuth. This is on the Pittsburgh coaching staff. Every week, there seems to be a new story of controversial coaching in Pittsburgh, and this has been one of those stories throughout the 2025 season. The tight end has kept a great attitude while speaking with the media, and he has been productive when given the opportunity to be.
Freiermuth has played 50 percent or less of the snaps in 10 of Pittsburgh's 12 games this season. That is a disgrace, especially when considering how much 12 and 13 personnel the Steelers run. Washington is a great player as well and is an asset in the running game, but it's argued that there is no reason to have Jonnu Smith on the field over Freiermuth. Jonnu Smith can line up at wide receiver if the coaching staff wants to see him on the field so badly, but let the better tight ends play.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith using his arms to direct and coach up his offense while the team works out during a 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers' Arthur Smith Is To Blame For Lack Of Pat Freiermuth Usage
Arthur and Jonnu have been together at multiple stops in the NFL over the years, and it is clear that he is the offensive coordinator's guy at tight end. This is highly questionable, especially when considering that Jonnu has played nearly 100 more snaps than Freiermuth and has significantly less production. It's not out of the question for the fan base to be rooting for the organization to move on from Arthur, rather than Freiermuth during the 2026 offseason.
What do you think about this thought from Fittipaldo? Let us know in the comments below!
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