Pat Freiermuth’s Hidden Frustration With Steelers Coaches Finally Comes To Light

The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent years waiting for Pat Freiermuth to become one of the NFL's most reliable receiving tight ends. He has delivered productive stretches, memorable touchdowns and enough flashes to keep that possibility alive, but the sustained breakout expected from the 55th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft still has not arrived.

Freiermuth's 2025 season captured the disconnect. He finished with 41 receptions for 486 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games, a sharp decline from the 65 catches, 653 yards and seven scores he produced one year earlier. Those numbers were not solely the result of poor play. Former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith built an offense that frequently prioritized other personnel packages, and Freiermuth was too often left searching for opportunities.

That frustration apparently ran deeper than the box score revealed. While appearing on the Steelers Collective alongside Noah Strackbein and Ray Fittipaldo, Mark Kaboly described a player who spent much of last season restraining himself. Kaboly also made it clear that a frustrating role did not absolve Freiermuth of responsibility for his own shortcomings.

"He was frustrated last year," Kaboly said. "We all saw that. He was biting his tongue so much it was bleeding by the end of the year. Some of it was his fault. I'm not saying it all was Arthur Smith or whatever, but I think he is primed for a better year. A lot better year."

Kaboly's language was vivid, but the larger point was even more revealing. Freiermuth apparently understood that publicly criticizing the offense would accomplish little while the season was unfolding. He stayed measured, accepted a diminished workload and waited for circumstances to change.

They have now changed dramatically. Mike McCarthy replaced Mike Tomlin as head coach, while Brian Angelichio took control of the offense. A new system gives Freiermuth a clean opportunity to prove that last season's dip reflected usage more than ability. That opportunity cannot become another blanket excuse. Freiermuth has played five NFL seasons and has never reached 750 receiving yards in one of them. His career high remains the 732 yards he recorded in 2022, and he has never produced more than seven touchdowns in a season. For a former second-round selection carrying significant expectations, good stretches are no longer enough.

There is important context behind those numbers. Pittsburgh's instability at quarterback and offensive coordinator repeatedly disrupted the development of nearly every skill player on the roster. Freiermuth has caught passes from a revolving cast of starters and operated in attacks that regularly struggled to create explosive plays. He has also missed time because of injuries during his career. Still, premium players eventually have to rise above imperfect surroundings. Freiermuth signed a four-year extension in 2024 that runs through the 2028 season, so 2026 is not literally his final year under contract. In the minds of many fans, however, it may be his last unquestioned chance to preserve the idea that a major breakout remains ahead.

Steelers Need Pat Freiermuth To Rewrite His Story

The encouraging part of Kaboly's assessment is that he expects a much better year, not merely a modest rebound. Freiermuth remains in his prime, owns a proven connection with veteran quarterbacks and has already shown he can become a dependable red-zone option. The physical talent that convinced Pittsburgh to invest the 55th pick has not disappeared.

McCarthy and Angelichio must create opportunities that Smith's offense did not consistently provide. That means moving Freiermuth around formations, finding favorable matchups and allowing him to threaten defenses between the numbers. If the new staff believes he can be a genuine weapon, their weekly plans need to reflect that conviction.

Freiermuth must handle the other half of the equation. He has to separate more consistently, win contested situations and turn his targets into production that cannot be schemed away. No coordinator can feature a player who does not repeatedly demand the football through his performance.

The excuses surrounding Freiermuth have not been imaginary, but their shelf life is nearly gone. A fresh staff, a redesigned offense and Kaboly's optimism have placed the tight end in position to change the conversation. If the breakthrough does not come now, Pittsburgh may finally have its answer about what Freiermuth truly is.

What kind of season do you expect from Freiermuth in 2026? Make sure to share your Steelers takes with @anthonyghalkias and follow me for more Steelers coverage throughout the season.

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