The Pittsburgh Steelers have several new pieces on their offense entering the 2025 campaign. The team also has a few offensive players still on rookie contracts set to start at new positions this season.
Pittsburgh turned over parts of its offense in an effort to jumpstart a unit that has been stagnant for quite some time. Tight end Pat Freiermuth, one of the few Steelers returning offensive starters, seems to like the plan.
Freiermuth told reporters Wednesday how thrilled he and his offensive teammates are to finally get on the field for a regular season game and showcase their offensive improvement.
“We’re excited to go out there in Week 1 and be able to execute what Art [Smith] puts in front of us, and I think you guys will be excited too,” said Freiermuth, via 93.7 The Fan.
The Steelers first-team offense wasn’t on the field together during the preseason. 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t play in the exhibition campaign.
Freiermuth didn’t receive much preseason playing time either. The tight end lined up for 13 offensive snaps in August.
That has left pundits to wonder what Rodgers and the Steelers could have in store for the New York Jets in Week 1. But clearly, Freiermuth is confident the unit will hit the ground running.
Expectations for Pat Freiermuth, Steelers Offense in Week 1
The NFL season opener can be tricky. Whether due to better conditioning or injuries, some teams come out much better than others.
Week 1 can often set the tone for a season, but a lot of weird things often happen (that don’t occur again) in the opening week.
Coaching changes around the league help make Week 1 unpredictable too. For the second year in a row, the Steelers face an opponent in the season opener that has a new defensive-minded head coach.
That presents a unique challenge to an offense.
Last season against the Atlanta Falcons, the Steelers didn’t score a touchdown in Week 1. But they still defeated the Falcons 18-10.
New York’s new head coach is former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Week 1 last year was also offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s debut with the Steelers. Although Pittsburgh has a new starting quarterback, No. 1 receiver and rookie running back, having the same system in back-to-back seasons should help players such as Freiermuth.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was rather blunt when a reporter asked him Tuesday about his Week 1 expectations for the team’s offense.
“I’d like to see a lot of points and a W, you know,” Tomlin said while chuckling. “Sincerely. But what produces that? Minimizing negative plays, minimizing self-inflicted wounds, penalties, things that get you off schedule, winning possession-down football.
“I’m sure I’m looking for the same thing that 31 other head coaches are looking for from their offensive units in Week 1.”
Rodgers’ Recent Week 1 Struggles
Rodgers’ experience should help the Steelers avoid some of those negative plays. But the veteran quarterback’s recent Week 1 record doesn’t particularly bode well for the Steelers against the Jets.
Rodgers last won a Week 1 matchup and played the entire game in 2020. The quarterback was credited with a Week 1 win in 2023, but he left during the first series with an Achilles injury.
In 2021, 2022 and 2024, Rodgers’ teams lost all three Week 1 matchups by a combined score of 93-29. Rodgers posted one touchdown with four interceptions combined in those three games and failed to throw for 200 yards in all three contests.
For what it’s worth, Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to six consecutive Week 1 wins from 2015-20. The Packers offense didn’t have a strong September in all of those seasons, but they began each year with a 1-0 record.
The Steelers will visit the Jets, who Rodgers played for the past two years, in Week 1. Kickoff will occur at 1 pm ET on Sunday, September 7.
Pat Freiermuth Sends Strong 1-Line Message on Steelers Offense Ahead of Week 1