Steelers' Key Offensive Player Sidelined Under Arthur Smith For Ridiculous Reason

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have a lot of work to do with solidifying the roster before the 2026 NFL season, but they also have to figure out a brand new scheme. Last year's team had some particularly awful usage of key players, or some just not being used at all when they were needed most. Under new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, there will be many changes made to the team and the scheming of the active players, something which is desperately needed after last season.

With how the offensive inconsistencies cost the team at various points during the 2025 season, changes must absolutely be made. One of these key changes has to involve getting other key players involved in the game planning, and with new voices within the coaching staff, hopefully these issues will be rectified.

On the latest episode of the Kaboly + Mack show, hosts Mark Kaboly and Chris Mack debated what the franchise would end up doing to attempt to get some of the better players on the team the ball more often. One of Kaboly's more interesting comments regarding one particular player is not only very interesting, but could also be some truly exciting news with regards to next season.

"The way I look at it is, maybe Arthur [Smith] wanted Pat Freiermuth to be a better blocker than he was," Kaboly said. "That's the way I looked at it, and maybe that prevented him to get on the field more than he was, which, can't you scheme around that if that's the case?"

The talk about Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has been constant throughout the offseason, and for good reason. Kaboly's comment essentially shows that former Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith did not have a great plan for utilizing Freiermuth's talent, and it showed. This is why Freiermuth is one of many players on the offense that should be excited about a new coaching staff being brought in, as this should bode well for Freiermuth getting used far more often in 2026.

There was a lot of talk in the past, and even up to now, that Freiermuth's lack of usage in the Steelers' offense should persuade him to demand a trade to a team that will utilize him effectively. The fact that Smith wanted Freiermuth to be utilized in a way that wasn't catered to his strengths as a tight end is absurd. With a new coaching staff, Freiermuth should hopefully see a vast increase in targets no matter who the quarterback is, and no matter who else is on the offense.

Freiermuth can potentially be a top option in what could end up being a loaded offense, pending free agency and the draft, and this is some truly exciting news to hear for Steelers fans. With how Freiermuth was able to put the organization in a position to win multiple times in the 2025 NFL season, making an offensive scheme that prioritizes Freiermuth as a receiving option should lead to an uptick in offensive production. This will certainly help put the Steelers in a position where they can win more games in 2026.

With how the Steelers' new coaching staff could certainly help make Freiermuth a top target, this also has an indirect benefit for another important position for the Black and Gold.

Steelers Will Likely See Improved Quarterback Play With New Scheme

No matter who the starting quarterback will end up being in 2026, making Freiermuth a priority option in the offense will indirectly benefit whoever it is. Freiermuth is an outstanding talent as a receiving tight end, and having a consistent option to throw to will make any quarterback better next season, which can hopefully lead to a vastly improved offense.

What did you think about Kaboly's comments regarding Smith's misuse of Freiermuth? Follow us for more!

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