Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Delivers Very Strange Comments About Pat Freiermuth's Lack Of Chances

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was hopeful he could end the playoff drought on Monday night against the Houston Texans. The Steelers had a solid 2025 regular season that saw them win the AFC North title and finish 10-7, but a 30-6 home playoff loss to the Texans erased much of that progress. Tomlin has never had a losing season in his 19 years as head coach, yet he still has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. That contrast continues to define his tenure, with regular season success followed by postseason disappointment.

Many believed this matchup might be different with Aaron Rodgers leading the offense, but the results were the same. The Steelers managed just six points and struggled all night to find any rhythm. Drives stalled, opportunities were missed, and the offense never looked comfortable or in control. It was another performance that left fans shaking their heads, especially given the expectations that came with adding a quarterback of Rodgers’ caliber.

One of the most confusing storylines was once again the usage of tight end Pat Freiermuth. He did not receive a target until late in the second half and finished the game with only three targets and one catch for 18 yards. Many Steelers fans have been vocal about their belief that Freiermuth should be getting at least 10 targets per game in this offense. 

After the loss, Rodgers admitted to the media that he is just as confused as the fans are about why Freiermuth is not more involved. That admission only adds another layer of frustration to a season that ended in a way Steelers fans have come to know all too well.

"Yeah, I don't know," Rodgers said while speaking about Freiermuth's lack of involvement. "I do not have a good answer for that."

In the 2025 offseason, the Steelers made plenty of noise about their tight end room. It was supposed to be a lethal group featuring Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington. 

In reality, the only player who truly performed at a high level was Washington before his season-ending injury. Freiermuth produced when given opportunities, but he never received the target share or consistent usage that many expected. 

Smith and Rodgers also never seemed to get on the same page, which limited his impact and made the entire tight end rotation far less effective than it was hyped up to be.

Steelers’ 2025 Season Unfortunately Ends With More Questions Than Answers

When you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, this feels like another season that ended with more questions than answers. The Steelers talked all year about balance, execution, and playing their best football when it mattered most. Instead, they once again saved their worst performance for the biggest stage. That is what makes this loss sting more than the regular season record or division title can make up for.

There is talent on this roster. The defense has star power, the skill positions have potential, and the quarterback situation was supposed to be stabilized with Rodgers in town. However, potential does not mean much when it does not translate to production, especially in the playoffs. Coaching decisions, game planning, and player usage all have to be examined honestly if this team truly wants to take the next step.

Steelers fans are not asking for perfection. They are asking for progress. They are asking to feel like January football in Pittsburgh actually means something again. Right now, it feels like the same script every year with different names attached to it. Until something changes, whether that is philosophically, schematically, or structurally, the results are likely to stay the same.

This franchise prides itself on standards and tradition. The problem is that the standard is slipping, and the tradition is starting to feel more like a memory than a reality.

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