Pat Freiermuth Praises Russell Wilson for Leading Offseason Workout in San Diego: ‘That Was Big Time’

Earlier this month, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth revealed on the Around the 412 Podcast with Zachary Smith of Steelers Now and Tyler Weeks that he, and wide receivers Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson all worked out with quarterback Russell Wilson in San Diego.

It was Freiermuth, Austin and Jefferson’s first introduction to the nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion since he signed with Pittsburgh in March.

“I was just down there in San Diego with him working out and throwing routes,” Freiermuth said. “He’s been great at talking to guys and starting to build that connection. He’s a great guy. You can tell the drive and determination that he has to win and come to Pittsburgh and win some playoff games for us. I think he is going to fit our culture and locker room very well.”

Freiermuth added more commentary on his workout with Wilson in San Diego during a recent interview with Teresa Varley of Steelers.com.

“That was big time,” Freiermuth said. “He invited us to San Diego and a couple of us went there and got to work out and run routes and get to know each other. That’s big. The relationship on the field is big but building that off field is a big thing. It’s that trust you can bring over to the football field.”

Wilson had a bad rap in Denver and Seattle for lacking leadership and not being a good teammate. Nothing of such has been showcased in Pittsburgh so far.

Freiermuth missed five games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury, but overall his numbers dropped from the two previous seasons. The subpar quarterback play and being in Matt Canada’s offense certainly didn’t help matters. In Freiermuth’s rookie season with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, he recorded seven touchdowns. He has a combined four touchdowns in the past two seasons.

Freiermuth finished the season with 32 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 25.7 yards per game. In 2022, he caught 63 passes for 732 yards and two touchdowns — a 45.8 yards per game average.

This is a crucial season for Freiermuth, as he’s heading into a contract year. Freiermuth has expressed twice this offseason that he wants stay in Pittsburgh for the rest of his career

“I want to be in Pittsburgh for the rest of my career,” Freiermuth said on the Around the 412 Podcast. “Hopefully it shakes out that way. I want to continue to play for Pittsburgh because it reminds me of where I’m from and how I was raised. Growing up and going through the hard times and good times together. I feel like the Pittsburgh media and fanbase and everyone kind of does that together. I feel very at peace and very comfortable in Pittsburgh. So, hopefully it shakes out the way that I want it to in the next coming year or whenever that may be.”