3 Steelers players who stepped up in Week 9 against the Bears

2. Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth

While many thought last week was  Pat Freiermuth’s breakout game, he may have outdone himself this week against the Chicago Bears. The young tight end continues to impress as he put forth his best performance yet against a depleted, but talented Chicago Bears defense.

The young tight end continues to show why he was a second-round draft selection, by contributing as both a capable blocker, as well as a reliable target. Juju Smith-Schuster’s injury opened up a large number of targets, and Freiermuth has more than stepped up and filled the void.

Freiermuth’s big game this week consisted of five catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns. This year’s rookie class appears to be a good one for the Steelers, as evidenced by Freiermuth and Najee Harris accounting for all three of the team’s touchdowns this week, while also seeing Kendrick Greene and Dan Moore Jr. play all the snaps as starters on the offensive line, and the impressive play thus far from late round selection Tre Norwood.

Freirmuth has established himself as one of the most integral weapons on the offense alongside Diontae Johnson, and Najee Harris, and potentially ahead of Chase Claypool. Freiermuth’s big frame and steady hands make him an appealing target for Roethlisberger, and his ability as a blocker ensures he will be on the field almost all the time, even in short yardage situations.