steelers tight end
steelers tight end
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t make many notable offseason additions to their tight end room. A new face will claim the third tight end spot made vacant by the departures of Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward. But the main challenge for the tight ends is getting more out of Pat Freiermuth and continuing to develop Darnell Washington.
After a relatively quiet season in 2025, the Steelers know Freiermuth has more to offer. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio has a vision of what will lead to success in 2026.
“I think Pat’s done a really good job of controlling the middle of the field,” Angelichio said via the team’s website. “Anytime we get a one-on-one with Pat, he has made some plays, so that’s been really, really cool to see. And we’re just gonna keep pushing the envelope and, hopefully, that connection continues to grow because it could certainly be a big help for us.”
Despite a quiet season last year, Freiermuth remains one of Pittsburgh’s best pass-catchers. A new coaching staff gives him a clean slate, and utilizing his size and route running over the middle could create mismatches. Using him properly could create opportunities for other pass catchers, including newcomers Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard. That could create a more potent passing game than last season, when DK Metcalf felt like Pittsburgh’s only consistent pass-catcher.
Last season, despite playing in all 17 games, Freiermuth played third fiddle behind Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington. Although Smith disappointed, Washington had a breakout season, earning a contract extension this offseason.
The prospect of having two dangerous and productive tight ends has to be exciting for Angelichio. But incorporating two very different skill sets into the offense is easier said than done.
When asked how things would change with Washington on the field instead of Freiermuth, Angelichio downplayed the challenge.
“I mean, we really try not to, you know? I think they’re both capable. We wanna be able to call our plays, but certainly, try to emphasize what they do well. Right now, we’re just playing ball, and they both are doing a good job blocking at the point of attack. And certainly, in the passing game, they’re very, very capable.”
Freiermuth and Washington are both paid like starting-caliber tight ends, so it’s no surprise that the coaching staff wants to involve both. Washington is clearly the better blocker, while Freiermuth offers more as a receiver. The challenge will be maximizing those differences rather than making the two players interchangeable.
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