Steelers' Mike Tomlin Gives Detailed Reasoning For Finally Getting Pat Freiermuth More Involved

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a thrilling 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday to improve their record to 9-6 and stay atop the AFC North. Although Detroit nearly completed the comeback, it was one of Pittsburgh’s best overall performances of the season. Several players made big-time contributions, including tight end Pat Freiermuth. While Freiermuth finished with just 20 yards on four receptions, each catch came in a critical moment that helped swing the game in Pittsburgh's favor.

At first glance, Freiermuth’s stat line doesn’t really stand out. In a game where the Steelers scored 29 points and moved the ball consistently, four catches for 20 yards can easily get overlooked, but those numbers don’t tell the full story of his impact. Every time the offense needed a steady gain or a reliable option to keep a drive alive, Freiermuth seemed to be right where he needed to be. His role wasn’t flashy, but it was incredibly important.

The Steelers went 8-for-16 on third down, and a big part of that success came from using the middle of the field and making in-game adjustments against Detroit’s zone defense. Early on, the Lions showed they were content to sit back in zone coverage, take away deep shots, and force Pittsburgh to be patient. That approach slowed things down a bit at first, but the Steelers didn’t panic. Instead, they adjusted.

As the game went on, it became clear that Pittsburgh was intentionally trying to get Freiermuth more involved. Rather than forcing throws outside or holding onto the ball too long, the offense started dialing up plays designed to attack soft spots in the zone. That meant more short and intermediate routes over the middle, where Freiermuth thrives. Those small adjustments helped the offense find a rhythm and sustain drives, especially in key moments.

During his post-game press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin credited Freiermuth's ability to get open against the zone.

"We know Muth is a zone killer," Tomlin said. "We got some other guys that have really good zone awareness with the addition of Thielen, and I'm thankful for it."

Freiermuth wasn’t alone in that effort. Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen also played a key role in moving the chains. Thielen finished with 49 yards on five receptions, and several of those came in crucial situations. His experience showed, especially on third down, where he consistently found ways to get open just enough to make a play. Together, Freiermuth and Thielen gave the Steelers reliable options in the short passing game.

One thing that the Steelers have struggled with at times during the 2025 season has been making adjustments, but it was apparent that Tomlin and company made the appropriate ones during Sunday's win. Instead of stubbornly sticking with a game plan that wasn’t working early on, the coaching staff identified what the Lions were doing defensively and countered it. 

That meant changing up route concepts, leaning more on the middle of the field, and trusting players who excel against zone coverage. Those tweaks didn’t always lead to explosive plays, but they consistently kept drives alive. Over the course of the game, those small changes added up and played a major role in Pittsburgh closing out a tough, hard-fought victory.

Steelers Could Look To Freiermuth More With A Potential Metcalf Suspension Coming

Looking ahead, Freiermuth could be in line for an even bigger role with DK Metcalf potentially facing a suspension after an altercation with a fan during the game. The Steelers have had a revolving door at the number two wide receiver spot, but Freiermuth has proven during his career that he can be a reliable pass catcher to take the pressure off of Aaron Rodgers. 

Although no discipline has been handed down yet, If Metcalf misses any time, Pittsburgh will likely lean more heavily on Freiermuth to help carry the passing game. Based on how effective he was against Detroit’s zone defense, the Steelers will be counting on him to be even more involved as they continue their push toward the postseason.

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