The Pittsburgh Steelers made their stance on tight end Pat Freiermuth painfully clear during their 30–6 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans — and it wasn’t one fans wanted to see.
The defeat itself was hard enough to endure. Mike Tomlin’s team entered the postseason with the comfort of defending Acrisure Stadium, a place long-considered hostile territory for visiting teams. Instead, the Steelers were embarrassed in front of their home crowd, overwhelmed physically and mentally by a Texans team that dictated every phase of the game.
When the offense desperately needed a spark, Arthur Smith’s decisions only deepened the frustration. Once again, Freiermuth — a player many believed could be a security blanket in a high-pressure playoff environment — was reluctantly and minimally involved. It was an ugly but familiar malpractice that had lingered throughout the season.
Stretching the field has long been an issue for Arthur Smith–led offenses. Years of inconsistent production prompted the Steelers’ front office to commit to a near All-Pro overhaul. The investments in DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, and Aaron Rodgers were expected to elevate the unit and, in theory, unlock Freiermuth’s full potential.
Instead, the former second-round pick seemed to fall beneath the couch cushions.
Suddenly, Smith and Darnell Washington became the offense’s new toys, while Freiermuth — once viewed as a foundational piece — faded into the background. That troubling habit followed the Steelers into Monday night’s playoff matchup.
Pat Freiermuth should be frustrated with the Pittsburgh Steelers after Wild Card loss
As Pittsburgh struggled to move the ball downfield, the solution felt obvious. The Texans’ defense was flying to the perimeter, punishing receivers after the catch and collapsing the pocket around Rodgers. The Steelers needed a reliable, physical presence in the middle of the field — someone who could settle the offense, win in traffic, and convert manageable downs.
That player was Freiermuth. Yet he was barely given the opportunity.
Freiermuth saw action, but not nearly the usage a game of this magnitude demanded. He finished the evening with just one reception for 18 yards, an astonishing stat line considering the offensive stagnation. His absence from the game plan was arguably the biggest malpractice of the night.
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The numbers tell the rest of the story. Pittsburgh averaged just 3.12 yards per play, completely consumed by Houston’s relentless defense. Instead of adjusting by featuring a tight end capable of exploiting soft spots in coverage, the Steelers stubbornly stayed the course — and paid the price.
This one stings.
Freiermuth has always felt like a Steeler in the purest sense: tough, dependable, and willing to do the dirty work. He finished the season with 486 receiving yards and four touchdowns — respectable numbers, but nowhere near a true reflection of his ability.
Monday night felt like the final confirmation of what many feared all season. The Steelers didn’t just underutilize Pat Freiermuth; they made it clear where he stands in their offensive hierarchy. And if this trend continues, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him seek greener pastures — somewhere his talent isn’t treated as an afterthought.
For a team searching for answers, letting a weapon like Freiermuth go unused may be the most damning decision of all.