Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Opens Up About Clear Flaw Within The Organization

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in quarterback purgatory. The organization and the fan base are desperate to find a franchise player at the position, but that is something that is easier said than done. The Steelers are about to enter their fifth straight season where the organization is expected to start a different quarterback in Week 1, and seven different quarterbacks will have started a game over the last five years for Pittsburgh once Aaron Rodgers takes his first snap of the 2025 season. This can be difficult for a team, especially the players in the passing game.

Only one player on the offense for Pittsburgh has been with the team throughout the entire time period of this current stretch of quarterback uncertainty, and that is tight end Pat Freiermuth. His rookie year came in 2021, which happened to be Ben Roethlisberger's final season before retiring. 

This led to the team drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and the entire fiasco that followed over the next two years, all the way to the franchise acquiring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields during the 2024 offseason.

Freiermuth spoke to the media after a mandatory minicamp practice, and he was asked about the constant turnover at quarterback. He didn't mince words as he suggested how difficult it is.

"Yeah, it's tough." Freiermuth said. "But obviously we're looking for whoever can help us compete and win a Super Bowl. So, I embrace the challenge. It's difficult, but I feel like it means well for tight ends, just 'cause we're running certain routes. Most tight ends are running similar routes and stuff like that, so, yeah, it's fine. I'm excited for, for the opportunity."

The tight end acknowledged how difficult it has been to get used to different quarterbacks lining up under center. During the 2024 season alone there was a ton of questions about the quarterback position. Fields began the year as the starter as Wilson dealt with a calf injury, but Wilson reclaimed the starting job heading into Week 7. It was reported that the coaching staff was split on the decision, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin wanted to start Wilson.

It sounded like the tight end could appreciate the effort that the organization has been making to leave no stone left unturned in the hunt for a quarterback. The only part the fans question is the fact that the franchise continues to go after questionable veterans. Tomlin chose to continue to start Wilson over Fields despite Fields having the chance to potentially be a franchise quarterback. 

The team pursued Rodgers throughout the 2025 offseason even though he will likely retire following the 2025 season. These players might be able to help Pittsburgh "win-now", but the future of the quarterback position remains bleak, and that just means the same process will be repeated over and over again.

Steelers Need To Land A Franchise Quarterback In 2026 NFL Draft

The Steelers are expected to have 12 selections throughout the 2026 NFL Draft, and a package of those picks could be used to move up in the first round to land a quarterback. In order to keep a player like Freiermuth from having no truly consistent quarterback play throughout the prime of his career, Pittsburgh needs to be sure that the organization gets its guy. 

It is hard to imagine Rodgers will be in Pittsburgh past the 2025 season, and rookie Will Howard has low expectations as a sixth-round selection. There is a low chance Howard can impress the coaching staff enough throughout the 2025 season in order to make himself be considered a shoe-in for the starting gig in 2026, but never say never.

What do you think of Freiermuth's comments on the quarterback situation throughout his career in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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