During the 2024 offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers gifted Pat Freiermuth a four-year, $48 million contract extension that made him a top-10 highest-paid tight end in the NFL. Freiermuth, a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, became the first tight end in history to earn back-to-back 60-reception seasons to open his NFL career.
But one year before breaking the bank, the Steelers drafted Darnell Washington in the third round. And now that Washington just received a massive contract extension from Pittsburgh, everything is about to change for Freiermuth.
On June 3, the Steelers rewarded their blocking tight end with a four-year, $42 million contract extension. Even with inflation, Washington's $10.5 million average is smaller than the $12.1 million per season Freiermuth received two offseasons ago.
But Pittsburgh's latest move may completely alter the career path of Freiermuth.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are poised to pivot to Darnell Washington as their long-term tight end
In late May, the Steelers quietly restructured Pat Freiermuth's contract, converting $6.385 million of his 2026 base salary to a signing bonus and prorating it over the next three years. Though this lowered his 2026 cap number down to just $6.943 million, it increased his cap number for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
Because of the restructure, the Steelers can't get out of Freiermuth's deal next offseason without burning over $8.45 million in dead money. However, by the 2028 offseason, Pittsburgh could save nearly $8.4 million by releasing the veteran tight end, per Over the Cap.
Assuming Freiermuth isn't traded next offseason, 2027 is likely to be his final season with the team—especially now that Washington is under contract through 2030.
Though Washington is viewed primarily as a blocker after his first three seasons, the 6'7'', 300-pound tight end is still just 24 years old (he will be 25 for the 2025 season) and has his best football in front of him. Washington has flashed impressive ability as a pass-catcher when targeted, and his role in the passing game could increase now that he has received a massive payday.
Meanwhile, Freiermuth isn't old, but he will turn 28 in October. Will the Steelers really want to give him a third contract during the 2028 offseason when he'll be in his 30s?
Freiermuth could prove to have another respectable year, and the addition of Mike McCarthy should only help his cause. However, with his contract recently restructured and his teammate's latest contract extension, it looks like the team will pivot from Freiermuth to Darnell Washington as their tight end of the future.
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