Imagine being a star athlete, only to find yourself benched more often than not. That’s exactly what happened to Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in 2025, and it’s a story that’s as frustrating as it is fascinating. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite his talent and potential, Freiermuth saw the second-lowest number of receptions and yards in his five-year career, playing barely more than half of the team’s snaps—a career low. So, what went wrong? And this is the part most people miss: Freiermuth wasn’t just sitting on the sidelines; he was sharing the field with Darnell Washington (53% of snaps) and Jonnu Smith (52%), a dynamic that left him feeling undervalued.
In a candid moment during locker-room clean-out day, Freiermuth admitted his disappointment to Chris Ward of steelersnow.com. ‘I would say that I am disappointed with the lack of opportunities I was given,’ he said, ‘but at the end of the day, I’m a team player, and I was proud of myself for not making it about myself.’ His stats for the season—41 receptions on 53 targets for 486 yards and four touchdowns—reflect a player capable of much more. ‘It’s always about the team and what we can do to win,’ Freiermuth added, ‘but I feel like I could have been in situations where I could help the team win more.’
Here’s the bold question: Is Freiermuth’s reduced role a coaching misstep, or is there more to the story? With the Steelers set to overhaul their leadership in 2026—new head coach, new offensive coordinator, and likely a new quarterback—Freiermuth’s future hangs in the balance. His contract runs through 2028, but with no guaranteed money left and hefty cap hits of $11.2 million, $12.1 million, and $10.5 million, the team could decide to part ways. Will he stay and fight for a bigger role, or is this the end of his time in Pittsburgh? Let’s spark some debate—do you think Freiermuth deserves more playing time, or is the Steelers’ strategy justified? Share your thoughts below!
