Analysis

The Steelers ran a very conservative offense in the win, leaving Freiermith as the team's leader in receptions and yards. His longest gain of the day went for 14 yards midway through the first quarter, a catch that set up the only touchdown of the game for either team. Preseason concerns about a diminished role in the offense for Freiermuth appear unfounded through two games, but the lack of aggression has limited the potential of all of Pittsburgh's pass catchers.

Analysis

Shortly after signing his four-year contract extension with the Steelers on Friday, Freiermuth was featured fairly prominently in the Steelers' Week 1 win, finishing second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. The 25-year-old was an inconsistent contributor during the 2023 campaign, posting single-digit yards in three of his first four appearances of the season. However, he could see more targets in 2024 now that Diontae Johnson, Allen Robinson and Miles Boykin are no longer with the team, and tight-end friendly coordinator Arthur Smith is calling plays.

Analysis

This move confirms recent rumblings that Pittsburgh was trying to get Freiermuth extended before the start of the regular season. Freiermuth is locked in through the end of the 2028 season, as the extension will kick in after the fourth and final year of his rookie contract wraps up in 2024. The 2021 second-round draft pick is looking to bounce back under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, starting with Sunday's game against the Falcons, after posting a career-low 308 receiving yards in the 2023 regular season.

Analysis

Freiermuth made his lone catch on Pittsburgh's second possession, as he was hit in the right flat by Russell Wilson for a modest gain. Though Freiermuth has had limited production in two preseason games, he currently has a strong chance to be the second-most targeted pass catcher in the offense come the regular season.

Analysis

Freiermuth caught a short pass from Justin Fields on the Steelers' first drive of the game Friday, but the tight end was held in check for the other two drives in which the starters were on the field. The 2021 second-rounder took a step back last season, securing 32 of 47 targets for 308 yards and two touchdowns over 12 regular-season appearances, but he should have a chance to bounce back in 2024 since either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson will operate as the team's starting quarterback.

Analysis

The tight end is in a contract year, following a down 2023 season in which a hamstring injury cost him five games and may have limited his playing time in a few others. He caught nine passes for 120 yards in a Week 12 win over the Bengals and had five catches for 76 yards in a playoff loss to Buffalo, but otherwise Freiermuth had just 23 receptions for 188 yards and two TDs in 11 appearances. He was far more active in the passing game as a rookie (60-497-7) and again in 2022 (63-732-2), and he could be Option B behind WR George Pickens in 2024 after the Steelers hired OC Arthur Smith and traded WR Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. While Smith figures to prioritize the running game, his affinity for multi-TE formations could put Freiermuth in a near-every-down role for the first time (he averaged 42.7 snaps per game in 2021, 46.4 in 2022 and 39.5 in 2023).