5 key takeaways from Steelers Week 1 win over Bills

Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth isn’t the backup tight end

Rookie tight ends have one of the more difficult transitions to the NFL from the college game. Most need a season or two before hitting their stride.

Even a tight end as pro-ready as Pat Freiermuth was expected to need a year of developing before he could be counted on as a full-time starter. While Eric Ebron will still be seeing the field, the Steelers are evidently very comfortable with him seeing the field early and often.

While he only registered one catch for 24 yards, Freiermuth was a regular on the offense. He was stout as a blocker and ran a variety of routes. No, he isn’t the receiving threat Ebron is, but Freiermuth provides far more value as a complete tight end. If he is truly ready to take on the role of starter, he can and should be out snapping Ebron.

Based on his blocking tape from Week 1, there is little reason that Ebron should be seeing the field over Freiermuth right now.

That doesn’t mean Ebron can’t have a role on the offense. For starters, cutting him does nothing for the cap, so unless a team offers some draft compensation for him, he will remain on this roster. As well, he was an intriguing receiving threat last season, even if he was inconsistent in terms of catching the ball.

That all said, Freiermuth needs to be featured in this offense moving forward. He can throw a block when needed and has continued to build off his strong offseason.