Pittsburgh Steelers #81 Zach Gentry Does Revealing Interview With Craig Wolfley

The Pittsburgh Steelers Tight End, Zach Gentry, sat down on Friday to chat with former Steeler Guard, Craig Wolfley. They discussed his transition to tight end from quarterback, partnering with Pat Freiermuth, the best and worst parts of the job and his popular show Grillin' and Chillin'.

Photo Credit: @JSKOPhoto / SteelerNation

Wolfley asked Gentry about the transition to tight end from quarterback. Gentry played QB from second grade through high school. He was recruited to the University of Michigan as a QB but under the direction of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, he transitioned to TE.

Gentry said the hardest part of the switch was the mental component. He said he never wanted to play anything but QB, that was how he envisioned himself. The transfer portal rules have changed since Gentry was in college and he said if the current rules had applied he would have been gone. He told Wolfley he had some low moments and tried to transfer three or four times but Harbaugh would not let him leave.

Gentry also discussed making the physical change to playing TE. He said he was able to learn route running rather quickly because he played wide receiver for his older brother in high school. But the physicality of going from the protected player to a protector was tough. Initially, he got lit up by players like Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley.

Photo Credit: @JSKOPhoto / SteelerNation

Steelers Gentry Tells Wolfley It Was Meant To Be

Now Gentry says he believes the change was for the best and thanks Coach Harbaugh for forcing him to hang in there. Wolfley asked him about the best and worst parts of being a professional football player. Gentry said that the best parts are definitely the adrenaline rush - taking the field on game day is like nothing else you ever experience with the crowd cheering.

The worst part, Wolfley and Gentry both agreed, is training camp. Gentry said this is especially true as you get older. You are in more cramped quarters, it is hot and very humid and the workload is tremendous.

Speaking of a great part of being a professional player, the teammates. Gentry has formed quite a special bond with fellow Tight End, Freiermuth. Wormley likened it to the relationship he had with the late, great Tunch Ilkin.

He asked if it was hard to form a brotherhood with a guy who competes for his job. Gentry said not at all. He said that they both bring something to the table and they complement and support each other nicely. Freiermuth is better at route running and catching and Gentry and pass protection and blocking. He said they work to make each other better and to provide on-field support to make the play successful.

Gentry and Freiermuth have taken their friendship to the next level by taking over the responsibility of having a player-run show for the Steelers. They are filling the spot left by JuJu Smith-Schuster and Good JuJu and Bud Dupree's Bud Brings a Buddy. Their show is called Grillin' and Chillin' and they put teammates in the hot seat. Gentry is the "grill" and Freiermuth is the "chill." The two TEs have become known for their shenanigans around the building and it made them a natural choice to be the new hosts.

Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Steelers Video

While the Steelers' offense has definitely been struggling to get it all together, it is clear that Gentry is a positive aspect. He brings some much-needed extra blocking to an offense that has been slowly improving. At 6'8" and 265 lbs. he is a force to be reckoned with. His stats do not give an adequate picture of the difference he makes on the field. Wolfley mentioned that if Gentry ever wanted to switch positions he feels confident he could take him to Golden Corral and get him bulked up enough to become a Pro Bowl tackle!

How do you think Zach Gentry is best used in this Steelers offense? Comment below!

#SteelerNation