The Pittsburgh Steelers have several uncertainties as they start the 2024 season.
However, the future of tight-end Pat Freiermuth is not one of them.
The team secured Freiermuth with a five-year contract on Friday that will keep him with the Steelers through the 2028 season. This deal provides stability at a position that has seen a lot of changes before Freiermuth was drafted three years ago.
Freiermuth, who has recorded 155 catches for 1,537 yards and 11 touchdowns in 44 games, celebrated the new contract with his teammates during a meeting on Friday afternoon before the season opener in Atlanta.
The 25-year-old Freiermuth was about to start the final year of his rookie deal, which he signed after being picked in the second round in 2021.
“He’s worked so hard and he’s passionate about the game of football, is a great teammate, a great leader, a great friend,” said Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson.
“We had a good dinner (Thursday night) with the offensive line. We kind of knew something was going to happen. And so it was cool seeing him walk off the field (Friday). He’s always smiling, but to just see a big smile on his face was huge.”
Freiermuth might excel under first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who has a history of featuring tight ends prominently in his previous coaching roles.
“He’s a unique player,” Smith said about Freiermuth. “He had a lot of early success in the league and at Penn State. He has a great sense of space. … There are certain things you see, and guys that just get it.
They know how to find windows in zone coverage. They know how to set guys up in man coverage. He’s got a really good feel as a tight end, as a space player.”
This signing is the second major deal the Steelers have made this week. They also signed veteran defensive end Cam Heyward to a three-year contract on Tuesday.
