The race for playoff seeding in the AFC doesn’t begin in the middle of the campaign — it starts in Week 1. That’s when focus, consistency, and grit must take root if a team wants to be playing meaningful football come January. Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t getting that kind of production from tight end Pat Freiermuth right now.
To be fair, Freiermuth has been a fan favorite since he arrived in Pittsburgh. The former second-round pick brought toughness, dependable hands, and the kind of physicality that fits right in with the Steelers’ old-school brand of football. But this season, his performance has fallen short of expectations.
Through four games, Freiermuth has just seven receptions on ten targets for 65 yards — and no touchdowns. That’s a surprising decline for a player who tied his career high in touchdown catches last season with seven. Simply put, the numbers don’t reflect the kind of impact fans were hoping to see from one of the league’s most promising tight ends.
So what’s going on? Why does a player with this much talent look so quiet in an offense that’s showing progress elsewhere?
I believe the answer has more to do with Arthur Smith’s offensive philosophy than Freiermuth’s ability. The Steelers’ new offensive coordinator has always leaned heavily on the run. His playbook is rooted in physical, ground-and-pound football — the kind of scheme that prioritizes blocking tight ends and power running over vertical passing.
Pat Freiermuth must prove he is the best tight end of the Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart
If the Steelers do throw the ball, it’s usually off play action or in short-yardage situations. That system doesn’t leave much room for tight ends to rack up big yardage outside of yards-after-catch opportunities.
It’s also clear that Smith prefers using multiple tight ends to fuel his rushing attack.
In Week 4, for example, the Steelers leaned on Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington to serve as extra blockers. Their physical presence opened lanes that helped Kenneth Gainwell rush for 99 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. It was the kind of offensive explosion Pittsburgh fans have been waiting for — and a sign that Smith’s formula is beginning to click.
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That’s great for the run game, but it leaves Freiermuth’s role somewhat unclear. He’s capable of being a threat in the passing game, but his skill set isn’t being fully utilized right now. Still, he’s too talented and too reliable to fade into the background completely.
With key divisional matchups ahead against defenses that love to load the box, Freiermuth has a chance to reestablish himself as a vital piece of the offense. These AFC North showdowns often come down to a handful of plays — a third-down conversion here, a red-zone touchdown there.
Those are the moments where Freiermuth has historically thrived.
The Steelers don’t need him to be Superman. They just need him to be steady, tough, and ready when his number is called. If he can seize those opportunities, his early-season struggles will be forgotten quickly — and Pittsburgh’s offense will be even more dangerous because of it.