Pittsburgh Steelers Pat Freiermuth is just over halfway through his sophomore season and he has been the chosen target for whichever quarterback is under center. Let’s take a look at five reasons he will remain a top target for the team.
Pat Freiermuth celebrating a TD vs the Bears. (Photo Credit: NFL.com)
Freiermuth is Flexible
This isn’t a reference to his ability to do yoga but rather to his ability to change how and where he plays and make it look seamless. When Chase Claypool was traded to the Chicago Bears, Head Coach Mike Tomlin indicated that Freiermuth would be helping to step up and fill the void. He has done just that. Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada has flexed him out in the slot more than using him as an in-line tight end. In his first games without Claypool, he has played 10% more of his snaps from the slot.
Freiermuth is Tough
Freiermuth is a big, solid player at 6’5” and 258 lbs. He is not easy to bring down. He routinely drags a few defenders behind him as he picks up an extra yard or two. He has the speed to be able to win routes and he brings the physicality needed to stand up to linebackers. During the Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he took a nasty knee to the stomach.
Despite having the wind knocked out of him he jumped up and lined up again. Unfortunately, he has had three concussions in two years, which is a scary number. If he can protect his head he has the physical potential to be excellent for many years to come.
Photo Credit: Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Freiermuth Blocks
The tight end position has evolved over the years and the Steelers have been right there at the forefront of developing blocking tight ends. After Heath Miller retired, finding a replacement blocker has been the unicorn for which the team has been searching. They have found that in Freiermuth. His in-line blocking is just above average but his blocking in space is a tremendous asset.
Against the Saints, he had a big block that opened up a 22-yard run for George Pickens. Freiermuth and his counterpart Zach Gentry have both been major contributors to why the Steelers' run game has improved over the past two weeks and why the offense has begun to slowly improve.
Freiermuth Has Good Hands
Freiermuth has shown that he can make some amazing catches. Against the Saints, he had a one-handed grab over the middle of the field that kept the offense moving. He often makes crucial catches at crucial times. During that same game, he had a 12-yard reception that led to a Matthew Wright field goal. When Freiermuth is involved in the game, the Steelers' offense is far more successful.
While the Week 1 game against the Bengals wasn’t a stellar performance, Freiermuth was a major reason the team played as well as it did. It was likely the best game of his career and his play helped secure the win. Last season he hauled in contested play after contested play in the red zone. It has been one of the missing components this season, but that isn’t his fault. He needs to be more involved in red zone play.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield (@jsko_photography)
Friermuth has Tremendous Football Smarts and Perseverance
Freiermuth was known at Penn State as a student of the game. He has brought that same set of traits into the NFL with him. He is relentless in the pursuit of improving, spending time watching films and working obsessively on improving areas that need growth. He had an excellent rookie season but he has improved in 2022. Despite the many other offensive woes it is easy to see that his hard work is paying off.
Through Week 11 he has 44 receptions, 482 yards and one touchdown. While there is room for improvement, one stat shows the hard work he has put in and that's his average yards per catch. In 2021, he averaged 8.3 yards per catch but he has improved that this season to 11 yards per catch. That is a solid increase.
Freiermuth currently ranks sixth in the NFL despite the other offensive struggles and has a PFF grade of 75.4. Last season, he was a favorite target of Ben Roethlisberger and his chemistry with Kenny Pickett seems to be growing. There is no shortage of work to be done in improving this offense, everything from playcalling to running and receiving. One factor that is abundantly clear is that Freiermuth needs to remain a part of the solution.
How do you think Freiermuth most benefits the team? Comment below!
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