Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Will Love Finding This Out About Mike McCarthy

After the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers to be their starting quarterback ahead of the 2025 season, it was widely assumed that tight end Pat Freiermuth would be one of the biggest beneficiaries. Freiermuth was so excited about the possibility of playing with Rodgers that he even sent the veteran quarterback direct messages as soon as he heard rumors linking Rodgers to Pittsburgh.

Unfortunately for Freiermuth, the 2025 season didn't unfold the way he had hoped. He finished with just 41 receptions for 486 receiving yards and four touchdowns while appearing in all 17 games. What made his lack of production even more puzzling was the Steelers' underwhelming group of pass catchers compared to the rest of the league. Many questioned why Pittsburgh didn't make a greater effort to feature Freiermuth, whose ability to attack the middle of the field could have helped take some of the defensive attention away from star wide receiver DK Metcalf.

Now, however, there's renewed optimism with Mike McCarthy taking over. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac believes Steeler Nation could finally see the breakout campaign they've been waiting for from Freiermuth. The fan-favorite tight end has had supporters anticipating a monster season ever since his productive rookie year catching passes from Ben Roethlisberger. Heading into 2026, Dulac believes McCarthy's long history of utilizing tight ends could set Freiermuth up for the best season of his career.

"Tight ends in McCarthy’s offenses, both in Green Bay and Dallas, have typically been the second-leading receivers on the team," Dulac said. "Look for Freiermuth’s numbers to jump back to where we have become accustomed."

No one truly knows what that actually means, considering Freiermuth's production has never quite reached the level many believe he's capable of.

Since being drafted, Steelers fans have been waiting to see his full potential utilized within the offense. If Dulac's prediction proves accurate, 2026 could finally be the season Freiermuth puts it all together and delivers the breakout campaign fans have long been anticipating.

"The biggest problem with Freiermuth last season wasn’t so much his lack of production, which was the lowest of his career when he played at least 16 games," Dulac said. "It was how little he actually played in Arthur Smith’s offense. Freiermuth played fewer snaps than fellow tight ends Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith, which was even more surprising considering the lack of wide receiver production from anyone other than Metcalf."

There was a lot of excitement surrounding the Steelers' tight end room heading into the 2025 season with Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Jonnu Smith. 

Unfortunately, Washington was the only member of the group who truly lived up to the expectations, earning himself a four-year, $42 million contract extension during the 2026 offseason. The Steelers tight end room was a massive disappointment in 2025.

Steelers' Freiermuth Entering Another Pivotal Year

For Freiermuth, 2026 feels like a pivotal year. The talent has never been in question, but consistency and opportunity have prevented him from becoming one of the NFL's premier tight ends. With a new offensive system under McCarthy and renewed optimism surrounding the passing attack, the former second-round pick has a chance to remind everyone why he was once viewed as one of the league's rising stars at the position.

If McCarthy follows the blueprint that helped several tight ends thrive throughout his coaching career, Freiermuth could finally see the volume and role Steelers fans have been asking for since he entered the league. 

Please feel free to share your Steelers takes and thoughts with me on X (@anthonyghalkias) and consider following for more Steelers-related content and discussion. I’m always open to hearing different perspectives, breaking down games, and talking all things Pittsburgh football.

#SteelerNation