PFF Believes Pat Freiermuth Could Be on the Trade Block

Marcus Mosher of Pro Football Focus threw one out from left field in listing Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has realistic trade prediction for six veterans who could be moved during the draft.

Freiermuth is entering his final year of his contract, so I guess it’s a plausible on that end, but the Steelers only have Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt as other tight end options. All three haven’t put up gaudy numbers in the passing game.

“There has been no indication that the Steelers are unhappy with Pat Freiermuth, but he is entering the final year of his contract, and there has been no movement toward a potential deal. Freiermuth is a talented player, but he struggled to stay on the field in 2023 and has caught just four touchdowns over the last two seasons,” Mosher wrote.

Freiermuth’s production has gone down since his rookie season, but the subpar quarterback play and Matt Canada aspect have to be account for over the last two seasons. Mosher also questions if Freiermuth would fit in Arthur Smith’s offense.

“There is also a question of his fit in Arthur Smith’s offense as he requires his tight ends to block inline. Freiermuth has yet to post a season with a run-blocking grade over 60 and it is inarguably the worst part of his game. He can be an effective receiver, but his lack of strength in the run game could make him a clunky fit in Pittsburgh’s new offense.

“The Steelers selected Darnell Washington in Round 3 last year and signed veteran MyCole Pruitt this offseason, both of whom are known for their blocking ability. Pittsburgh might not intend to give Freiermuth a deal similar to Cole Kmet (four years, $50 million), which is likely what he would get on the open market in 2025. If that is the case, it’s better to trade him now for an asset and use that pick to acquire a cheaper tight end that better fits the system.

“If the Steelers could get an early Day 3 pick in return for Freiermuth, that might be a deal that is too good to pass up. And with this being a weaker tight end class, several teams could be interested in Freiermuth’s services this week.”

Mosher thinks the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders would be ideal trade partners for Freiermuth.

Freiermuth gave Russell Wilson props for organizing an offseason workout in San Diego. Freiermuth, Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson attended the workout.

“That was big time,” Freiermuth told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “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.”

Freiermuth is heading into his fourth year and a veteran on the Steelers’ offense. He’s a core piece player. It would be shocking to see him be dealt by the Steelers this weekend during the draft. Freiermuth is announcing the Steelers’ second-round pick on Friday, so that would be extremely awkward if he did get traded.