Steelers Sights & Sounds: Freiermuth, TEs Prepare for Bigger Role

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth catches a pass while offensive coordinator Arthur Smith looks on during OTAs on May 28, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH — Pat Freiermuth and the Pittsburgh Steelers tight ends are expecting to have a large role in the team’s offense in 2024, thanks to the scheme implemented by new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Last season with the Atlanta Falcons, where Smith was the head coach, tight ends Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith were seocnd and fourth on the team in targets.

Behind Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, MyCole Pruitt, Connor Heyward and Rodney Williams will be competing for the rest of those additional targets, particularly in the red zone. The Atlanta tight ends caught seven touchdown passes a year ago.

At OTA practice No. 6 on Thursday, the tight ends practiced on their own with coach Alfredo Roberts, making catchings in simulated traffic. Then they went over to work with quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and others on their routes and timing. 

The video also contains our first look at new tight end Izaiah Gathings, who was signed by the Steelers earlier this week. Gathings previously spent time with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl ring while on the Kansas City practice squad.

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