Pittsburgh Steelers
Getty
Pat Freiermuth gaining trade interest.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be a team to watch this offseason.
Pittsburgh won the AFC North last season but has plenty of question marks around the team, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a free agent, and his future is up in the air.
Yet, along with Rodgers, Steelers insider Mike DeFaboo of The Athletic reported that multiple teams have called Pittsburgh about trading for tight end Pat Freiermuth.
“At least six teams would be interested in exploring the idea of acquiring tight end Pat Freiermuth, according to a league source,” DeFaboo wrote. “However, at least right now, teams are being told he’s not available. Fellow tight end Jonnu Smith’s situation seems a bit more fluid. The Steelers are still in the process of understanding what a changing offensive philosophy will mean for personnel. When Khan was asked if the way Freiermuth and Smith were utilized justified having two top-10 players at the same position, he said the Steelers are in a fine cap situation to keep both.
“However, if you’re an NFL player who is paid to be one of the 10 best players at your position, you usually want to be used that way. Freiermuth and Smith were willing to be team-first players last year. But if both remain on the roster this year, would the Steelers be able to keep both happy?”
Freiermuth is in the midst of his four-year, $48 million deal and still has three more seasons on his contract. With the Steelers also having Jonnu Smith under contract, NFL teams are hoping to pry Freiermuth out of Pittsburgh.
Freiermuth recorded 41 receptions for 486 yards and 4 touchdowns last season.
Freiermuth Was Disappointed About 2025 Season
Pittsburgh acquired Smith ahead of the 2025 NFL season to pair him with Freiermuth.
However, Freiermuth’s role in the Steelers’ offense decreased, and he admitted after the season that he was frustrated by it.
“I would say I’m disappointed in the lack of opportunities I was given,” Freiermuth told reporters, via PennLive.com’s Nick Farabaugh.
In the playoffs, Freiermuth had just one reception for 18 yards and didn’t see a target until the fourth quarter.
Although Freiermuth was frustrated with his role, he made it clear he wanted to be back with the team in 2026.
“I’m a Steeler. I wanna be here,” Freiermuth concluded to reporters Tuesday. “I wanna see this thing through.”
Freiermuth has spent his entire NFL career with the Steelers. Pittsburgh selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Steelers Expected to Lose Gainwell
Pittsburgh’s offense could look much different in 2026.
The Steelers could have a new quarterback, and the team is expected to lose playmaking running back Kenneth Gainwell, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac.
“The Steelers are expecting running back Kenneth Gainwell, who led the team in receptions and was voted team MVP. And possibly veteran guard Isaac Seumalo to explore the possibility of signing elsewhere during the free-agent period,” wrote Dulac.
“Like Justin Fields did a year ago, they intend to test the market to see what offers might be out there. It doesn’t mean the Steelers don’t want them back. It just comes down to price.”
Gainwell finished the year rushing for 537 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also added 486 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.