Pat Freiermuth was an afterthought in the tight end room for most of the season despite being on a pretty significant four-year extension with the team. His lack of consistent usage was one of the most puzzling parts of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season for a team in desperate need of a No. 2 option in the passing game. They may have finally found their stride at the perfect time.
Freiermuth detailed their growing connection.
“I think I’ve started to really understand what he sees out there and what he wants from us,” Freiermuth said via Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. “Just gotta continue to make plays when my number is called, and especially in those critical situations.”
Rodgers targeted Freiermuth roughly five times per game over the final four weeks of the season. That was a significantly higher rate than at any other point of the season. With DK Metcalf sidelined for the final two games serving a suspension, Freiermuth stepped up in some pretty big moments. He converted two critical third downs in the middle of the field against the Ravens.
They both discussed after the game how one of the routes was something they had been working on since Latrobe. Rodgers has very specific expectations for timing and footwork on certain routes, and it finally paid off with a critical conversion.
“He is the smartest football mind I’ve ever been around in my life,” Freiermuth said. “The way he talks about the game, the way he describes it, it’s deeper than just, ‘Hey, go run a 12-yard basic.’ It’s more like, ‘Where you fit in the concept. Know my drops, know my timing.’ His biggest thing is he doesn’;t care what you do. Just get open on time and where you’re supposed to be. And it’s been cool to see a guy like that hold you accountable and everyone on the offense accountable to that.”
If you see Rodgers getting after his teammates after a failed play, that isn’t just an entitled veteran sounding off. It comes from a hard-earned place of authority and hours of extra work with his team to make sure things go right. According to the NBC broadcast last weekend, they spend four nights per week together with Rodgers above and beyond their required duties.
With Metcalf back in action for the Wild Card playoff game, he should draw Derek Stingley Jr. and perhaps some safety help over the top. And with Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren needed to help chip the Texans’ elite pass-rushing tandem, that might shift the onus to Freiermuth to be Rodgers’ security blanket in this game.
Maybe their rising level of trust and understanding in each other will pay off with a big performance for No. 88.
