xperience/age: Fourth season, 25
Contract status: $1.92 million cap hit in 2024, after which scheduled for unrestricted free agency
The past: A two-time college team captain who decided to play with his teammates during the 2020 season when he could have opted out (as many other players did) during covid, Freiermuth left Penn State holding the record for career touchdown receptions by a tight end at the school with 16. He caught at least one pass in each of his final 29 games … and in the pros, he’s had at least one reception in 43 of his 44 games.
But last season – statistically – was a regression for Freiermuth, who at this point in 2023 appeared poised to ascend to the upper echelon of the NFL tight end hierarchy. After having at least 60 catches during each of his first two seasons (and nine touchdowns over that span) after the Steelers drafted him in 2021’s second round, Freiermuth had only 32 receptions last season. A hamstring injury that forced him to miss five games played a role, and many will blame outside factors such as then-coordinator Matt Canada’s sputtering offense or then-quarterback Kenny Pickett’s inconsistent arm. But aside from a nine-catch, 120-yard outburst during a Nov. 26 win at the Cincinnati Bengals, Freiermuth did not have more than three catches or more than 44 receiving yards in any other game last season.
2024 outlook: New coordinator Arthur Smith is known for having a penchant for tight ends. That both works for and against Freiermuth because Smith during his time as a play caller for the Atlanta Falcons deployed multiple-tight end sets more than any other team in the league. And the Steelers have a deep group at the position in Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington, free-agent signee MyCole Pruitt and even Rodney Williams. Pruitt, in particular, has followed Smith around the league. Will they siphon targets away from Freiermuth?
The stakes – financially – are high for Freiermuth in 2024 because he’s on an expiring contract. He probably would be a favorite to get an extension this summer (and he still might) if it wasn’t for the less-than-stellar production from last season. Still just 25 years old and with a track record as a reliable target, Freiermuth would appear to have a long career yet ahead of him. And that would portend a significant contract.
The Steelers just might want to see a bounce-back season before they commit long-term money to him. Or maybe the sides enter talks later in training camp and come to a mutual agreement before the season begins. Freiermuth, though, perhaps would benefit from leverage attained by again showing he can be a top-level tight end under Smith’s direction and while catching passes from Russell Wilson. His agent surely would prefer that to negotiating an extension on the heels of a 32-catch season.
Either way, Freiermuth’s future beyond this season will be a storyline to track through the rest of 2024.
