BREAKING: Steelers star player has been named biggest surprise of Minicamp
The Steelers’ tight end was dubbed the biggest surprise at team minicamp.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are aiming for a breakout season from tight end Pat Freiermuth. The fourth-year pass catcher is in the final year of his rookie deal, and his future with the team is unclear after 2024.
Freiermuth is off to a solid start this season. During planned team activities and minicamp, he stood out. ESPN football writer Brooke Pryor was so delighted by Freiermuth that she gave him a unique trophy.
In a recent report, Pryor mentioned the “players who surprised us most” at minicamp. As she traveled through the AFC North, she discussed the Steelers’ tight end and his improvement.
“Arthur Smith’s offense is a tight end’s dream, and it’s already waking up Freiermuth from a nightmare of a 2023 season,” she penned. “Hampered by a nagging hamstring injury and playing in a disjointed offense, Freiermuth had a career-low 32 catches for 308 yards, less than half of his output in 2022.” However, with a new quarterback and offensive coach, the 2021 second-round pick is primed for a comeback, as he has shown early signs of excellent connection with quarterback Russell Wilson in spring workouts. The Steelers don’t have a solid WR2 option, but that may not matter as much if Freiermuth maintains the upward trajectory he started this spring.
If Pryor’s reporting proves true, the Steelers could expect a huge year from Freiermuth. It would be a huge boost for their offense if he takes the next step, something he’s very capable of doing in 2024.
Freiermuth’s first three seasons were up and down. As a rookie, he was a reliable red-zone target for Ben Roethlisberger, scoring ten touchdowns. His second season was a significant improvement in terms of receptions and yards, but he only scored twice.
This last season was the most difficult for ‘Muth. He had a lingering hamstring problem that limited his explosiveness and lower-body strength. Despite missing five regular-season games, he only had 32 receptions for 308 yards.
The largest opportunity in Freiermuth’s career comes in 2024. As Pryor indicated, the team needs backups for George Pickens, and he may become a constant threat if he becomes a reliable target for Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. If he continues to impress and back it up on the field, Freiermuth might be in line for a new deal and increased respect in the NFL.
