Pat Freiermuth: Everything you need to know

The Steelers and Freiermuth agreed to a restructured contract Saturday, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports. As a result, Freiermuth's cap hit for the 2026 campaign will decrease from its current $11.2 million. Pittsburgh's tight end room lost both Jonnu Smith (released) and Connor Heyward (signed with Raiders) this offseason, which leaves Darnell Washington (forearm) as the only established option at the position aside from Freiermuth. With QB Aaron Rodgers back in the fold as well, Freiermuth may be poised for an uptick in volume after putting together a 41-486-4 line on 54 targets in 17 regular-season games in 2025.

Freiermuth secured 41 of 54 targets for 486 yards and four touchdowns across 17 regular-season appearances in 2025. Freiermuth paced Pittsburgh's tight ends in receiving production, but his ceiling was significantly capped by the presence of both Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington (forearm), as well as the run-first schematic design of former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith (now at Ohio State). The 27-year-old remains under contract through the 2028 season and will retain a consistent role in Pittsburgh's offense, but both Smith and Washington are set to return in 2026, and the first read for red-zone opportunities will consistently be wide receiver DK Metcalf. Those factors will make Freiermuth a deep sleeper in 2026 fantasy drafts, and it's difficult to envision an upside scenario for him even if new head coach Mike McCarthy manages to spark things on offense.

Freiermuth brought in three of five targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Ravens. Freiermuth continued his recent trend of coming on late in games when he missed both of his targets in the first half before erupting for 51 yards on three receptions after halftime. The 26-year-old generated a 44-537-4 receiving line while operating in a TE rotation also featuring Darnell Washington (forearm) and Jonnu Smith (38-222-2) in 2025. Freiermuth should continue receiving extra looks in the playoffs after Washington was placed on IR after suffering an injury in Week 17.