There’s something to be said about people who step up when the lights burn the brightest. The ones who don’t flinch when everything feels heavy. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens isn’t just another chapter in a historic rivalry—it’s a referendum on resolve. With postseason implications hanging in the balance, Mike Tomlin’s team has no choice but to lean on its cold-blooded soldiers.
And right now, one name stands out above the rest: Pat Freiermuth.
The Steelers’ regular season has been a rollercoaster in every sense of the word. Moments of promise have been followed by long stretches of frustration, leaving fans gripping the safety bar instead of throwing their hands in the air. Now, entering the season finale, the turmoil feels heavier than ever.
Pittsburgh will battle for the AFC North crown without DK Metcalf. As if that weren’t enough, Darnell Washington is unavailable, too. Options are dwindling, margins are shrinking, and the offense needs answers—fast.
Well, at least the Steelers still have Freiermuth. Right?
The former second-round pick has all the tools to be a primary contributor in Pittsburgh’s offense. He’s reliable, tough over the middle, and capable of being a matchup nightmare when used correctly. The problem is he hasn’t been given many chances to be that guy this season. While Washington and Jonnu Smith were deployed in versatile, creative roles, it often felt like Freiermuth became an afterthought rather than a focal point.
The numbers tell the story.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need Pat Freiermuth to have an explosive performance in Week 18
Freiermuth has caught just 38 passes for 435 yards this season, a steep drop from last year’s 65 receptions and 653 yards. His touchdown total has slipped from seven to four. For a player once viewed as a foundational piece of the offense, that decline is hard to ignore.
But context matters. Watching the Steelers' offense this season explains a lot. Short, quick passes designed to create yards after the catch have been the backbone of Arthur Smith’s system. That approach has benefited players like Jonnu Smith and Washington, who thrived in space and disguised looks.
Until injuries changed everything.
Now, without Metcalf stretching the field and Washington serving as a versatile chess piece, the Steelers’ offense has been stripped down to its essentials. Aaron Rodgers—tasked with steering this unit through hostile territory on Sunday night—needs a dependable outlet he can trust in critical moments. That outlet has to be Freiermuth.
This is the game where opportunity meets urgency. Against a physical Ravens defense, Freiermuth’s size and toughness over the middle could be the difference between stalled drives and sustained momentum. A breakout performance wouldn’t just help Pittsburgh survive Week 18—it could extend their season and redefine his role moving forward.
On the flip side, another quiet night would raise uncomfortable questions. Not just about the game plan, but about Freiermuth’s long-term future with the team. Primetime moments have a way of revealing truths, and Sunday night is exactly that kind of stage.
The Steelers don’t need perfection. They need someone willing to step up when the ride gets rough. In Baltimore, with everything on the line, Pat Freiermuth has a chance to remind everyone why he earned a second contract in the first place.