Steelers’ Offense Stalls as Pat Freiermuth Remains an Underused Asset
With just five games left in the regular season, we’re at the point where NFL teams either lean into their identity-or get exposed by it. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, sitting at 6-6 and clinging to postseason hopes, the picture is becoming increasingly clear: this is a team stuck in neutral. And the clock is running out.
The Steelers’ best shot at the playoffs now hinges on winning the AFC North, a tall order with the Baltimore Ravens gaining steam and Pittsburgh still searching for answers on both sides of the ball. The problems are familiar by now: a run defense that can’t consistently hold the line, a rushing attack that sputters more often than it surges, and a passing game that feels like it’s running without a compass.
One of the more puzzling aspects of Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles is the limited usage of tight end Pat Freiermuth. A former second-round pick and one of the team’s more proven pass-catching options, Freiermuth has been largely sidelined in the game plan this year. And based on Mike Tomlin’s recent comments, it doesn’t sound like that’s changing anytime soon.
When asked why Freiermuth hasn’t been more involved despite the offense’s clear need for a spark, Tomlin offered a short and telling response:
“The ball didn’t bounce his way a week ago, but he’s certainly a viable option for us, and one that’s strongly considered as we work this week.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement. Calling Freiermuth “just a viable option” feels like a significant downgrade for a player who, not long ago, was a central figure in Pittsburgh’s passing attack.
This is a guy who’s posted three straight seasons with 60+ receptions and is still only 27 years old. Just last season, he racked up 653 yards and seven touchdowns.
That’s not the kind of production you typically ignore-especially when your offense is struggling to move the chains.
There’s no sign that Freiermuth has taken a step back physically or technically. In fact, by most accounts, he’s improved as a blocker this season.
Yet, through 12 games, he’s averaging a career-low 2.2 receptions per game and has seen just 32 targets all year. That’s a steep drop-off for a player who already proved earlier this season that he can still be a difference-maker-remember that 118-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Bengals?
That wasn’t ancient history. That was this year.
So what gives?
The offseason trade for Jonnu Smith and the continued development of second-year tight end Darnell Washington have certainly reshaped the tight end room. But neither has emerged as a consistent threat in the passing game. Smith, in particular, has underwhelmed, and Washington remains more of a specialized piece than a go-to target.
Given all that, it’s hard to understand why Freiermuth isn’t being leaned on more heavily. He’s a reliable target with a proven track record, and in an offense searching for rhythm, he could be a stabilizing force-especially for a quarterback unit that’s been anything but steady.
The Steelers have tried a lot of things to jump-start their offense this season. Most haven’t worked. At this point, giving Freiermuth a larger role doesn’t just make sense-it feels overdue.
Whether Tomlin and the coaching staff see it that way remains to be seen. But if Pittsburgh wants to keep its playoff hopes alive, it might be time to stop treating Freiermuth like just another option-and start using him like the weapon he’s shown he can be.