Damaging Theory Hits Steelers With Team Facing "Favoritism" Accusation

The Pittsburgh Steelers have tried their fair share of offensive experiments over the past half decade, and very few of them have actually paid off. Whether it was signing an unproven free agent, drafting an under-the-radar prospect, or pulling off a splashy trade, the organization has shown a willingness to test new ideas on offense. In 2025, Steelers fans were forced to watch one particular experiment unfold that clearly never worked out, and that was Jonnu Smith's involvement in the offense.

The Steelers traded for Smith as part of the Jalen Ramsey for Minkah Fitzpatrick trade last offseason. After Smith saw career highs in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns in 2024, it felt as if the Steelers had just landed another receiving threat for the Pittsburgh passing attack. 

However, that was far from the way it worked out. Smith caught just 38 passes for 222 yards with three total touchdowns last season, and many Steelers fans felt as if the team was trying to force the ball into his hands. While Smith was being forced the ball, it kept one of Pittsburgh's most reliable options on the sideline, Pat Freiermuth. 

Freiermuth saw a noticeable dip in production in 2025, but it almost felt as if it wasn't his fault, and one Steelers insider feels the same way. While making an appearance on Sportsline With George Von Benko on WMBS Radio, team insider Ray Fittipaldo blamed “favoritism” for Freiermuth's lack of contribution in 2025.

"I think some of that had to do with former Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. Jonnu Smith played for him in Tennessee and Atlanta. So there was some favoritism there, I think that Arthur kind of wanted to get him involved and, let's be honest, it came at the expense of one of your highest paid players," Fittipaldo said.

Fittipaldo’s comments echo what many fans seemed to notice throughout the season. There were several games where Freiermuth appeared underutilized despite being one of the most dependable pass-catchers on the roster. 

The tight end had previously proven to be a reliable security blanket over the middle of the field, especially on third downs and in the red zone. Instead, the offense often leaned toward creating opportunities for Smith, even when those plays didn’t produce much. 

That imbalance became more noticeable as the season went on, particularly when Pittsburgh’s passing game struggled to stay consistent. Smith's production was poor enough during the 2025 season to lead to him being released by the team last week, a move that will save Pittsburgh approximately $7 million in cap space. 

With a new offensive voice now in place in Head Coach Mike McCarthy, Fittipaldo expects the offense to look much different moving forward, and thinks it will feature much more Freiermuth.

"They're paying Pat Freiermuth 12 million dollars a year, and they didn't get production that a contract like that warrants last year," Fittipaldo said. "I think Mike McCarthy will do a much better job of getting him infused into the offense. Obviously, they have to add a couple of weapons at receiver, but once they do that, I think you'll see Freiermuth's production go way up."

If the Steelers hope to get their offense moving in the right direction in 2026, making Freiermuth a bigger part of the game plan should be high on the list. When he’s at his best, Freiermuth has shown he can be one of the most dependable tight ends in the entire National Football League. 

Pittsburgh committed significant money to him, and the team needs to start seeing that investment pay off. With the right usage and consistent opportunities, Freiermuth has the ability to reestablish himself as a major factor in the Steelers’ passing game.

Steelers Will Also Seek Broader Darnell Washington Impact

Not only will the release of Smith lead to more opportunities for Freiermuth, but it could also create a larger role for Darnell Washington. Washington put together the best season of his young career in 2025, showing noticeable growth as both a blocker and a pass-catcher. While he has always been known for his physical presence in the run game, Washington began to show more confidence as a receiving option, hauling in 31 passes for 364 yards and a touchdown last season.

With Smith no longer in the picture, the Steelers now have a clearer path to feature both of their young tight ends more consistently. Washington’s size and athleticism make him a difficult matchup for defenders, particularly in short-yardage and red zone situations. If Pittsburgh continues to expand his role, Washington could build on his career year and become an even bigger weapon in the Steelers’ offense moving forward.

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