Inside Lucas Oil Stadium, the buzz of the NFL Scouting Combine never really slows down. Executives shuffle between interviews. Coaches huddle over notes. Agents circle like hawks. And somewhere in the middle of that organized chaos, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan made something very clear.
“We paid Pat for a reason and we expect him to be a part of the offense this season.”
He wasn’t whispering it either.
The comment came during a Tuesday press conference largely centered on the franchise’s direction under new head coach Mike McCarthy, and its impact on the 2026 NFL Draft. But the moment Khan addressed tight end Pat Freiermuth, the tone shifted.
It felt intentional, direct and a almost protective.
Freiermuth has quietly become one of the more polarizing figures in Pittsburgh’s offense — not because of effort, but because of usage.
Drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Freiermuth was supposed to grow into a dependable vertical presence. At his best, he’s a vertical mismatch with soft hands and a strong frame. The type of tight end quarterbacks lean on in critical moments. Last season, that version of him rarely surfaced.
He finished with 486 receiving yards and four touchdowns — a noticeable dip from the previous year. And if we’re being honest, it wasn’t entirely his fault.
The offensive hierarchy became crowded. Darnell Washington emerged as a physical mismatch and a blocking force. Jonnu Smith filled a hybrid utility role. Connor Heyward carved out snaps in specialty packages. Freiermuth, once a focal point, felt lost behind the curtain.
When the Steelers needed a reliable vertical target, Freiermuth often seemed like an afterthought. For a player who had previously shown he could thrive between the numbers, it was puzzling.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need Omar Khan's preidction about Pat Freiermuth to come true
That’s why Khan’s words matter.
Freiermuth’s four-year, $48.4 million contract extension wasn’t accidental generosity. It was an investment. He’s under contract through 2029. Organizations don’t commit that type of money to players they plan to phase out.
“It has been a good experience with Pat,” Khan added. “He has a unique skillset. I know the new coaching staff likes him.”
That last sentence should calm the elephant in the room.
A new regime often means roster reshuffling. When McCarthy arrived, I quietly wondered if Freiermuth could become a trade candidate. New systems create new preferences. But Khan’s public endorsement sends a different message: Pat Freiermuth is part of the plan.
READ MORE: New Steelers hire sends crystal-clear message to Pat Freiermuth
And frankly, he deserves another shot.
It’s easy to forget how steady he’s been when properly featured. He runs clean seams, understands spacing in zone coverage, and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s not flashy — but he’s effective.
If the Steelers are serious about stabilizing their offense, maximizing existing investments is step one. That includes rediscovering Freiermuth’s role. Whether the quarterback is a veteran or a young riser, tight ends are security blankets.
Freiermuth has every right to feel disappointed about last season. But listening to Khan speak, it’s clear there’s alignment moving forward.
“Pat is a Steeler.”
In a week full of speculation and smoke screens, that was one of the clearest statements to come out of Indianapolis.
And sometimes clarity is exactly what a player — and a franchise — needs.