Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth Taking on Leadership Role in Year 4
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth revealed in an interview with Richie Walsh of KDKA on Sunday that there’s been a lack of leadership on offense in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. Despite being reserved at times, Freiermuth wants to step up and be more of a vocal leader in his fourth season with the Steelers.
“I’m trying to get out of my shell a little bit,” Freiermuth told Walsh. “I think the first couple years I was a little quiet, not really kind of myself, but now just kind of growing up. We’re a young offense and just trying to bring the team together on the offensive side of the ball, and just trying to organize things.
“I think when Ben left, obviously that was our main guy on offense, our leader who we looked up to. Missing that for the past couple years. So just trying to get guys like Najee [Harris], myself, the new quarterbacks, just guys bringing each other up, hanging out, getting to know each other outside of football.”
Pat Freiermuth is heading into a pivotal contract year, and Arthur Smith’s offense could be just what he needs to break through and establish himself as an elite tight end.
Last season with the Atlanta Falcons, where Smith was the head coach, tight ends Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith were second and fourth on the team in targets.
The Steelers are expected to run a lot of multiple tight end sets under Smith. That’s been his M.O. as a play-caller. The Steelers spent almost the entire practice on Sunday with two tight ends on the field, and a good portion of it had three tight ends or two tight ends and running back Jack Colletto.
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“It was very refreshing,” Freiermuth said of Smith’s offense during the first week of camp. “First day coming in, seeing the targets increase. It was great. … I watched a lot (of Smith’s film). When he first got hired, I watched Tennessee. Then over the summer I watched Tennessee and Atlanta, and we had our own film from OTAs. It’s a great offense to be in.”
Freiermuth revealed during OTAs that Smith has expanded his route tree.
“Slants, digs, and all that, I’m running it,” Freiermuth said. “Yeah. Yeah. It’s been awesome to add that, that full route tree to my repertoire. And you know, it’s been great. It’s been fun. Everything’s been great.”
A breakout year could be on tap for Freiermuth; the potential is certainly there. A contract extension also might come to fruition before the season starts. According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Freiermuth’s agent was at Saint Vincent College last week.
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