Pat Freiermuth

Steelers signed TE Pat Freiermuth to a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier that a new deal could soon be in place for Freiermuth, who is now under contract through the 2028 season. The fourth-year tight end hopes to rebound from an underwhelming 2023 campaign in which he caught 32 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns and could have a chance to with less competition for targets heading into this season. Target hog Diontae Johnson is now in Carolina, leaving George Pickens as the primary target earner for the Steelers, while Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin scrap for what’s left. It wouldn’t be surprising if Freiermuth, who went for 63-732-2 in 2022, finished with the second-most targets this season for the Steelers, who are expected to be a run-heavy team under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.