The Pittsburgh Steelers locked up tight end Pat Freiermuth for the future in a move that most of us had been anticipating. It’s a decision that feels more about what they hope he does versus what he has done. The question becomes whether or not Freiermuth can live up to the new deal and if you sense some skepticism from me you’d be correct.
In total, it’s a five-year contract worth over $49 million with $23.3 million fully guaranteed. It brings the former Penn State star barely into the top 10 of the NFL’s highest-paid tight ends. With an ‘arms race’ at nearly every position now it’s likely that by next spring he will have been dropped from the top ten as new contracts are signed.
My concern with this deal has a couple of different angles to it. First is the fact he isn’t a complete tight end. He is a sub-par blocker who really hasn’t improved in this area and in my book, a number one tight end has to be able to both block and be dynamic as a pass catcher. Freiermuth just isn’t either in my opinion.
This isn’t to say that he isn’t capable of big things. His monster game at Cincinnati last year was proof that he can be a reliable pass catcher. His inconsistency however is also a concern of mine. Since Ben Roethlisberger was last under center, Freiermuth has just two touchdowns. In 100% fairness, he hasn’t exactly had the best quarterback play with which to utilize his talents. Avoiding that discussion just wouldn’t be fair to the 6’6” tight end.
Make no mistake that what Omar Khan and the Steelers did today was sign a guy based on what he could do rather than what he has done. They aren’t the first front office to sign a player based on potential. It happens all the time but it also brings in my last and perhaps biggest concern. ‘Muth has suffered three concussions in his professional career and I have serious questions about how many more before he puts his livelihood ahead of football. I certainly wouldn’t blame him nor should anyone else.
We heard early in OTAs about the connection he had with Russell Wilson and that has led many to believe Freiermuth will have a bigger than normal season. Arthur Smith’s love of tight ends is no secret and that’s what led the Steelers to this point. Unfortunately there are defenses who are ready to make sure that doesn’t happen. Therefore we may be asking after 2024 whether this new deal for Pat Freiermuth was worth it. I’m hopeful it is but I have my doubts too.