Pat Freiermuth Talks QBs, Najee on Kuntz Podcast
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth went on The Christian Kuntz Podcast this week, where he spoke with the Steelers’ long snapper about the new-look offense he’ll be working in this season, as well as some of the players who left the locker room this offseason.
“I’m excited. We got some new guys coming in. It’ll be good to get back with the guys,” he said.
In a conversation varied from the Savannah Bananas to college football offseason, the pair briefly touched on the story at the front of every Steelers fan’s mind right now: Who will be throwing ‘Muth the ball?
Freiermuth expressed comfort with the team adapting to whomever Pittsburgh brings in, or even if it stands pat with Mason Rudolph. He said coaches will adapt and capitalize on whoever is under center.
“I’m comfortable with whoever,” he said. “I think it’s more so based of what that quarterback was good [at] in the past and blending it with our schemes. We did that with Russ.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin has had to do that every offseason since 2022, and Freiermuth says that the team’s offensive philosophies will stay intact regardless of the personnel.
“It’s [offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s] scheme. No one’s going to come in and change the whole playbook,” he said.
Freiermuth also paid tribute to former running back Najee Harris, who left Pittsburgh in free agency for the Los Angeles Chargers. He said that the duo, drafted together in 2021, became good friends over four seasons together. He reflected on bonding in the locker room and team planes.
“Me and Naj, we were close. He’d come over every single week for dinner.”
After rushing for 1,000 yards every year, Harris signed a $9.5 million contract with the Bolts. On his way out, Harris talked down on the facilities in Pittsburgh.
“I didn’t agree with the way he went out,” Freiermuth laughed, “and I called him about it.”
Pittsburgh will get the chance to see if Harris’ new facilities are any better when they travel to play the Chargers in 2025.
“I’m excited for the opportunity he has, but when we play LA this year you know he’s gonna be running hard, he said. “But we’re going to be hitting him harder.”
The Penn State product also offered relentless praise for another member of Pittsburgh’s 2021 draft class, Dan Moore Jr. The offensive tackle signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency last month. Freiermuth said he was thrilled to see Moore get a big-money deal and harped on his flexibility and resiliency. Between practicing against T.J. Watt, and facing division opponents Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson on Sundays, Freiermuth said that Moore had to be resilient, especially as the offensive line got a face lift and the team used back-to-back first-round picks on players at Moore’s position.
“He was the ultimate competitor, he showed up every single day, worked his ass off. I just hope that people appreciate what he was to this organization.”
However, Pittsburgh also made some additions. Freiermuth recalled his reaction when he was in Ireland and got a notification alerting him that DK Metcalf was coming to Pittsburgh. It was one that most Steelers fans can probably relate to.
“It was sick… Jameson shots. Right away.”