Steelers All 90: Pat Freiermuth Has Big Goals For 2023

Pat Freiermuth quickly became one of the go-to targets in Pittsburgh after the Steelers selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In that 2021 draft, Freiermuth became the second tight end taken behind Kyle Pitts, who the Atlanta Falcons selected with the fourth overall selection. While the stats show that Freiermuth has enjoyed a more productive career to this point, Freiermuth is glad he landed in Pittsburgh.

“Kyle is a great dude, I got to know him throughout the process, he is a hell of a player,” said Freiermuth. “Obviously, I have been fortunate enough not to have as [many] injuries as he had early on in his career… I’m just happy with my opportunities here with Pittsburgh.”

While Freiermuth has enjoyed individual success during his first two seasons in Pittsburgh, he has only played in one playoff game which was a Wildcard loss to the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2021 season. In that game, Freiermuth caught four passes for 25 yards. This is something that has left a bad taste in his mouth and that he wants to change going forward.

“I want to win a Super Bowl, seriously,” said Freiermuth. “I just want to be part of meaningful games in Pittsburgh and play a home playoff game in Pittsburgh.”

Following an excellent rookie year when he caught 60 passes for 497 yards and seven touchdowns, Freiermuth received nearly 100 targets in his second season and is looking to take the next step in the NFL tight end echelon.

The third-year tight end claimed that he is a top-ten tight end in the National Football League right now and is looking to make the jump to the top five by season’s end.

Metrics show that it is feasible for Freiermuth to be elite and make the jump that he wants in the 2023 season. He ranked second behind only George Kittle in delivering explosive receptions on 25% of his receptions. He also finished seventh in yards per route run and ninth in YAC over expected. This is impressive on its own but the most impressive thing that he did is that he reached these feats while playing the 22nd most pure snaps, meaning he produced more on fewer snaps.

“I just want to continue to improve and show that I’m top-ten in the league,” said Freiermuth. “I have to have a good year this year to solidify [myself as a top-five tight end in the league.]”

88 • Pat Freiermuth, Tight End, Penn State
6-foot-5, 258 pounds, 24 years old, 3rd Season

Acquired: The Steelers drafted Pat Freiermuth with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Last Season: Freiermuth followed up his impressive rookie season with a healthier and equally as productive second year. Freiermuth was the second most targeted player on the offense with 96 targets, only behind Diontae Johnson’s 141 targets.

In Week 1, Freiermuth was targeted nine times as he hauled in five catches for 75 yards. This was one of four games that Freiermuth went over the 70-yard mark in 2023. His season-high for receiving yards came in Week 4 against the New York Jets as he finished with seven catches and 85 yards.

Last season, Freiermuth caught only two touchdowns in 16 appearances. The reason for the dip in touchdown production is that the Steelers quarterbacks only threw 12 passing touchdowns all season.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) runs after a catch with Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37) defending during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Career: In 2021, Freiermuth assumed the starting tight end position following the retirement of Vance McDonald. In Week 1, he started his first game against the Buffalo Bills and recorded his first professional reception for 24 yards on his only target of the game. In Week 3, Freiermuth caught his first NFL touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals and then recorded his first multi-touchdown game in Week 9 against the Chicago Bears.

Later in his rookie season, Freiermuth suffered two concussions, one in Week 12 and the other in Week 15. Freiermuth finished his lone season with Ben Roethlisberger as his quarterback with 60 receptions on 77 targets for 497 yards and seven touchdowns.

In total, Freiermuth has played in 32 career games with 17 starts. Over his first two seasons, has racked up 123 catches for 1,229 yards and nine touchdowns. Freiermuth’s 123 catches rank sixth in NFL history for a tight end in his first two seasons while his 1,229 yards rank first in team history for a tight end in his first two seasons. He became the 10th tight end in NFL history to reach 100 career receptions in 25 games or less.

College: After an illustrious high school career at the Brooks School, Freiermuth committed to play football at Penn State. As a true freshman in 2018, Freiermuth played in 13 games and started nine of them. He hauled in 26 receptions for 368 yards and eight touchdowns. His eight touchdowns were the most by a Penn State freshman since 2005. After the season, earned an honorable mention All-Big Ten from the coaches.

Freiermuth started all 13 games and was named as a team captain for the Nittany Lions in 2019. He finished his sophomore season with 43 catches for 507 yards and seven touchdowns. His 43 receptions and 507 yards ranked second on the team. He was named to the All-Big Ten second team by the coaches and media.

After just four games as a junior, Freiermuth’s season came to an end due to an injury. Despite his injury, he finished first among all Big Ten tight ends with 310 receiving yards. In his four starts, Freiermuth hauled in 23 receptions and one touchdown. After the season, Freiermuth was named the Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year.

In his Penn State career, Freiermuth appeared in 30 games while making 26 starts and set the school’s record for touchdown receptions by a tight end with 16.

Salary cap and future: Pat Freiermuth is entering the third year of his four-year rookie contract with the Steelers. In 2023, Freiermuth will cost $1.644 million against the team’s cap space. His 2023 salary is $1.208 million with a $436,000 roster bonus. Freiermuth will become a free agent following the 2024 season.

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