Steelers aim to get Pat Freiermuth more involved as they look for a bounce-back

The Pittsburgh Steelers are leaning into the idea that tight end Pat Freiermuth can deliver a bounce-back season, and they are actively looking for additional ways to use him, according to Yahoo Sports. The central theme is not just targets, but how the Steelers can integrate Freiermuth more fully into the flow of their passing game.

Freiermuth’s role matters to the Steelers because the tight end position has become a frequent bridge between the run game and the passing game in modern NFL offenses. A well-used tight end can affect the coverage by forcing defenses to cover routes at intermediate depths, hold blocks long enough for plays to develop, and provide an option when quarterbacks need a reliable second read.

The Yahoo Sports report frames the Steelers’ approach as a creative effort to maximize Freiermuth’s value. That implies Pittsburgh is evaluating route concepts and in-game packages where Freiermuth can be a mismatch, whether lining up in-line, on the edge, or in motion to influence coverage before the snap.

For fans, the promise of “more ways” is the point. Even when a player’s talent is established, offensive design can determine whether that talent is fully visible. A bounce-back narrative typically suggests a prior season did not reflect a player’s ceiling, and that coaching staff confidence can show up in how often the offense tries to put the tight end in positions to operate effectively.

At the same time, the practical caution with offseason planning is that plans do not guarantee execution. Preseason and early-season deployment tend to reveal what the team prioritizes most, including whether Freiermuth becomes a consistent part of third-down passing, red-zone concepts, and two-minute sequences.

The Steelers also have to balance tight end usage with the rest of the passing targets on the roster and the demands of the run game. If Pittsburgh truly expands Freiermuth’s involvement, it will have to do it in a way that keeps the offense organized and does not overly concentrate routes that could limit other options.

For what to watch next, the simplest indicators will be Freiermuth’s alignment and role specificity. When a tight end is used more, you often see more snaps in different formations, more designed touches in the passing game, and clearer patterns for when he is expected to create space either as a receiver or as a separator.

If Freiermuth’s 2026 season takes the suggested step forward, the Steelers’ offense could benefit from improved coverage stress at tight end, which in turn can open things up elsewhere. Conversely, if the “more ways to utilize” plan does not translate, it may be a sign that Pittsburgh’s adjustments are constrained by other roster needs or by how defenses respond in real time.