The Pittsburgh Steelers arguably have the deepest tight end group in the NFL. While none of the quartet of Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington or Connor Heyward have elite stats, the primary trio at the top of the depth chart have been reliable targets for Aaron Rodgers
This Sunday happens to be National Tight Ends Day, a young holiday that has proven to be a day where tight ends, whether elite or obscure, can become the entire highlight reel. The Steelers’ offense utilizes its tight ends heavily, almost out of necessity, so Yinzers expect a big performance regardless of the day or opponent.
However, the Steelers’ opponent this week, the Green Bay Packers, have struggled with defending tight ends all season long, creating an advantage Pittsburgh should be able to exploit.
National Tight Ends Day arrives with the perfect matchup for the Pittsburgh Steelers
As pointed out by Steelers podcaster Zachary Smith, the Packers have given up gaudy stat lines to tight ends all season long. In four of six games this season, the Packers have allowed opposing tight ends to catch at least six passes for 65 yards. The Packers have allowed a tight end to score in five of six games.
Green Bay is also coming off its worst performance against an opposing tight end. Arizona's elite pass catcher, Trey McBride, torched Green Bay on Sunday with 10 catches for 74 yards and two scores.
To be fair to Green Bay, the tight ends they have faced have been among the league’s best. McBride, Sam LaPorta, Jake Ferguson, David Njoku, and Zach Ertz highlight the tight ends Green Bay’s defense have faced this year. It's no surprise they've struggled.
That said, it’s not as though Pittsburgh’s tight ends are a squad of chumps. Sure, none of the four have the gaudy stats those guys may carry individually, but as a unit, they’ve been terrific. Between all four tight ends, they have combined for 44 catches for 406 yards and five touchdowns. Only McBride and Ferguson match or exceed at least two of those stats on their own, two of the players Green Bay struggled against the most.
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Of course, comparing four players collectively to an army of indivduals can come across as disengenuous. But that shouldn’t dismiss the fact that Pittsburgh asks each of their tight ends to do different things to support the offense. The danger Pittsburgh’s tight ends bring is greater as a unit than the sum of its parts, even if Freiermuth, Smith and Washington would be more productive in offenses where they would be featured as the primary option at the position.
Beyond their own tendencies, the matchup against Green Bay calls for heavy tight end usage anyway. The Packers generate great pressure, especially with Micah Parsons. With Rodgers being the quickest quarterback to get the ball out of his hands this season, those underneath throws to his tight ends should help dilute the Packers’ pass rush and keep the offense moving forward.