The Pittsburgh Steelers and tight end Pat Freiermuth agreed to terms Friday on a contract extension that runs through the 2028 season, a league source said. The Athletics.
The new deal is for four years and is worth up to $48 million.
The move comes at the right time on many levels. When the Steelers draft a player, they historically like to sign him before the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, before he can test the open market. That’s exactly the case with Freiermuth, a 2021 second-round pick out of Penn State.
Beyond simply maintaining precedent, the timing of the extension makes even more sense now considering the Steelers hired arguably the tightest friendly play caller in the league this offseason.
Last season in Atlanta, Arthur Smith’s Falcons deployed two or more tight ends on the field on more than 60 percent of their snaps, according to TruMedia, including a league-high 41.4 percent in 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends), 8.8. percent in 13 personnel (one back, three tight ends) and 10.1 percent in 22 personnel (two backs, two tight ends). Smith also targeted his tight ends often, as Atlanta tight ends finished first in receiving yards (1,380) and fifth in receptions (114).
The extension keeps a well-rounded tight end intact that features the massive 6-foot-7 Darnell Washington, the hybrid Connor Heyward and Freiermuth. While the many tight ends will give the Steelers different body types and playing styles at the position and they will often utilize all three on the field at the same time, it was important to re-sign the 26-year-old Freiermuth as he is the roundest of the three and the most reliable pass rusher a threat
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In doing so, the Steelers are betting that Smith and quarterback Russell Wilson — who was named a starter in the preseason — can help Freiermuth recapture his top form.
After the Steelers selected the Penn State product in the second round, he showed good chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger during the QB’s final season, catching seven touchdowns. Freiermuth built on that season with 732 receiving yards in 2022, which was sixth best among tight ends.
It seemed at the time that Freiermuth had ascended into the upper echelon of NFL tight ends, possibly on the verge of a Pro Bowl season. However, last season became frustrating.
A calf injury limited Freiermuth to a career-low 12 games. Even when healthy, his production dipped to a career-low 32 catches and 308 receiving yards as the Steelers’ stagnant offense endured another disappointing season with Kenny Pickett throwing the football and Matt Canada calling the plays.
Freiermuth became one of several offensive players whose production and talent became difficult to analyze because of the dysfunction around him. There should be a level of optimism Smith can reverse the trajectory of Freiermuth’s career and get him back on track.
Beyond scheme, the way the Steelers have structured their roster makes Freiermuth an important piece of the offense. This offseason, the Steelers traded away Pro Bowl receiver Diontae Johnson. The move shook up some locker room dynamics, but it also created a massive question mark about who can or will fill the No. 2 and No. 3 receiver spots.
The Steelers will rely on Freiermuth, who has become a favorite target of Wilson’s in the offseason, to help answer that question this year and beyond.
(Photo: Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)
