Pat Freiermuth has been the good soldier throughout his career, even amidst a carousel of quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers the latest. But at least in Rodgers, Freiermuth will have the same quarterback under center for the first time in his career. Up to now, he has had a different starting quarterback every year of his career.
Drafted in 2021, Pat Freiermuth came in as Ben Roethlisberger prepared to retire. The following year, Mitch Trubisky began the season as the starter, though then-rookie Kenny Pickett took over. Pickett did start the following season, but wound up on the bench behind Mason Rudolph. In 2024, he experienced both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. At least with Aaron Rodgers, he knows he can build some continuity, albeit short-term.
Rodgers already soft-announced that this will be his last season, but Freiermuth and company want to win—win for themselves, and win for him, too. Back in Pittsburgh, he has plenty of familiarity in multiple directions. While the coaching staff is new, he already knows a lot of them. Mike McCarthy won a Super Bowl with him in 2010, beating the Steelers along the way.
“It was great, and coming into this year, obviously, he’s been familiar with Coach [Mike] McCarthy and that scheme”, Pat Freiermuth said of working with Aaron Rodgers, going into a second year, via the Steelers’ website. “It’s been cool to see him remember things from the past, throw up old clips and to really detail in on the stuff that he has done a lot in the past. It’s been cool to work with him. And, personally, I’m just excited to have the [same] quarterback for back-to-back years”.
Over five years, Pat Freiermuth has caught at least one pass from eight different quarterbacks, although with Aaron Rodgers, he currently ranks fourth. Last year, the duo connected on 38 of 51 targets for 467 yards and 3 touchdowns. Per target, his greatest success remains with Ben Roethlisberger. In his rookie season, the duo went 55-for-70 for 466 yards and 7 touchdowns. Kenny Pickett still remains on top, going 64-for-90 for 700 yards, but just 2 touchdowns. Of course, Pickett is one of the worst touchdown throwers in NFL history.
But Aaron Rodgers is one of the best, and his relationship with Pat Freiermuth this year should pick up steam. It doesn’t hurt that they got ice cream together, nor does Jonnu Smith’s departure. Despite rarely complaining, Freiermuth has admitted last season’s snap and target share was tough. But the good news is, he sees more opportunities for himself in Mike McCarthy’s offense.
And Freiermuth also knows that in Aaron Rodgers he has a quarterback who not only knows what he’s doing, but knows him. Rodgers repeatedly went to bat for Freiermuth last season, insisting he needed to play more. He should this year, and it’s reasonable to expect Rodgers will be looking his way more.
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