Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth Situation is Worse Than It Seems

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a massive problem on their hands. I know they’re three and one. They’re coming out of the by-week, but there is one issue that is going to continue to plague this offense and will continue to haunt the Steelers winning ambitions until it is solved or resolved in some other fashion. What is going on with Pat Frymuth and what is going on with his role in the Pittsburgh Steelers offense? I hope everybody in Steelers Nation is doing great. I hope everybody took advantage of the by-week and I hope everybody is recharged and rejuvenated as the team turns their attention to their week six opponent, the Cleveland Browns and the beginning of the AFC North football. I hope everybody’s doing all right. I’m Jacob Ptori. I’m the co-host of All Steelers Talk and I am back with another episode of Panto’s Playbook, my unending quest and dive into all of the biggest Steelers questions facing the team now and moving forward. And today’s topic I think is very easy, very enveloping. It’s tight end Pat Fri. What is going on with their $12 million tight end? Again, the team is three and one to begin the season. The offense has had peaks and valleys so far through those four games. There’s been times where they have looked fantastic and there’s times where they have looked very pedestrian and mediocre and and amidst all of that, the through line is where is Pat Frier? you know, the the fifth year tight end. He comes into this season with huge expectations. This was supposed to be not only a renaissance for Pat Frier, but was supposed to be the next step in what was a great tight end finally emerging and being recognized by the NFL. He had seven touchdowns and 600 receiving yards plus last year. It was the first time since his rookie season playing with Ben Rothllessberger that he looked like a player that could be Pro Bowl worthy, maybe elite, maybe someone who is actually regarded among those top playmaking tight ends. Through the first four games, however, that that has been anything but true. Uh the 26-year-old has become really an afterthought in the Steelers offense. He has become third fiddle, not even second fiddle, to two other players above him, both in chemistry and respect with Aaron Rodgers and ability to get open and targets and and everything about it. It is seems that Pat Fri is disappearing in this offense. He’s been targeted just 10 times by Aaron Rogers through the first four games, hauling in seven of those targets for 65 yards, but he’s yet to see the end zone. 20 of those yards, I’ll also point out, came on a single pass play in week two against the Seattle Seahawks. So, we are talking about six t six receptions and 45 yards outside of that one 20 yard play that happened in week two. Simply put, it’s not good enough. It’s not impactful enough. It is just has everybody at a loss of words and a loss of explanation. And I’m just trying to figure out why and make sense of it all. The first thing that I am coming to and what I keep going back and watching the tape is that this team is is somewhat fulfilling the promises and the words that they spoke about heading into this season. you know, as soon as they acquired John Smith as part of that big mega trade that brought in Jaylen Ramsay as well, the talk of local media, national media, and even within the locker room and around the team at training camp was this team is going to utilize those three tight ends that they are so excited about in Pat Fri, and John Smith, and in Darnell Washington. They were going to run heavy. They were going to go jumbo sets. They were going to play bully ball against every other defense that they came across. So far, to the Steelers credit, they are kind of doing that. They are using tight ends a fair amount. And I think one tight end that they are continuing to use more and more and find different ways to use is Darnell Washington. And I think his ascent is a key piece in all of this. And I think his further utilization and more utilization and improved role in the offense and increased role in the offense is kind of a direct correlation as his, you know, as his stock goes up. It seems like Pat Frier Moose goes down and I think that we are seeing that firsthand. Week four against the Minnesota Vikings was a statement game for Darnell Washington in terms of his involvement in the offense. He played in 48 offensive snaps. He led the team in the team’s tight ends, I should say, in offensive snaps, outsnapping both John Newmith and Pat Frier. But how many snaps did Pat Fri play in that game? Double checking my math here. Just 15. That is just 15 offensive snaps in their victory over the Minnesota Vikings. That was not only the lowest total of snaps played by Pat Frymuth this season, that is the lowest amount of offensive snaps that he has played since he joined the NFL, since he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as their second round draft pick in 2021. Yes, the game plan against the Minnesota Vikings dictated some of this. The game plan against the Minnesota Vikings was to use those jumbo sets, was to utilize an extra lineman along the offensive line to give more strength and try to win at the point of attack. It it worked in every regard. It they the Steelers were able to run the ball incredibly well. The Steelers were able to open up passing plays because of their ability to run the ball and it all happened without Pat Fri who has been by my estimation and by my in by my opinion a decent run blocker. Not to the caliber of Darnell Washington, but he’s certainly the second best run blocking tight end on the team. And yet the offense has moved forward offensively, especially in the running game without an emphasis of Pat Fryouth or without really a need to include him. And so now we’re seeing Darnell Washington being incorporated further. I anticipate that those 48 snaps might not be the same in this week’s match up against the Cleveland Browns or week seven against the Cincinnati Bengals. But they are certainly going to find ways to continue to use him. And you know, John Smith is going to continue to be used as well. He’s played at least 35 offensive snaps throughout the the first three games. His snap usage went down as well against the Minnesota Vikings, but there’s no panic about where his snap count will be when they go out and play the Cleveland Browns and moving forward with Pat Footh. You simply just cannot say the same thing. And I I think where I’m going with this is that there’s one other area that Darnell Washington is now sort of usurping Pat Frier. And I think this is really the crux of what is taking away from his effectiveness and what makes Pat Fri a threat in an offensive system. And that area is the red zone. Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have taken a step back in the red zone, especially after their game against the Minnesota Vikings. They started off redhot over the first three games going seven of eight. cooled off a bit going just uh I believe it was uh three of five against the Minnesota Vikings uh in those red zone opportunities. So now they’re 10 of 13 on the year and they’re doing so again they’re finding this success. You can look at the four games as an aggregate and see that they are not really going Pat Frier’s way. Who was the tight end who got the the touch on that endound in week one against the New York Jets? John Smith. He scores his first touchdown in the black and gold that way. Darnell Washington one of one on red zone targets. Now look, that does not include the, you know, attempts to get him out in space as well. And if you’ll notice, and if you would draw your attention to how the Steelers are lining up in red zone situations, something that has happened a couple of times is Darnell Washington has kicked out wide. something that he won’t do in the middle of the field obviously, but it allows Aaron Rogers to pick up on what the defense is doing very quickly and it also gives this monstrous threat on the outside who can create a very difficult one-on-one situation for that defender. And now Pat Frymouth had seven touchdowns as last year and seven touchdowns as a rookie. And how did he establish himself that first year in the NFL? By being a red zone threat. by being a trusted target and a security blanket for Ben Rothllessberger at the time within those 20 yard possessions and within 20 yards at the goal line. That trust, that goto mindset that Aaron Rodgers has, is focused on players like Calvin Austin, as we saw two targets go to in the red zone over the first four games, two touchdowns as well. Johnny Smith gets a nod in the red zone. Kenneth Gainwell gets the ball in the red zone. Jaylen Warren gets the ball in the red zone. DK Mechaf is is DK Mechaf. He gets the ball in the red zone. Darnell Washington has now emerged as a greater threat and a more versatile threat along the goal line and in the red zone more so than Pat Frier, unfortunately. And now we are seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers not only phase Pat Frymouth out of their offense as it progresses down the field, we’re seeing them phase Pat Frymouth out of the red zone, which is where he also excelled and where he succeeded previously in his career. What does this mean moving forward? We we’re kind of getting a sense now of how we’ve gotten here. the the schematics and game plan of Arthur Smith’s offense is certainly tailored around using multiple tight ends in multiple ways, but it doesn’t really facilitate three tight ends being used in multiple ways. It’s really just two tight ends. Something I found really interesting here is that uh some data collected by uh Sumer Sports or Summer Sports, let me know in the comments how to pronounce that. And uh one of those words where you you just read it and then when you try to say it out loud you’re like I have no idea how this word is pronounced. Uh so that was another one for me there. So apologies to those fine folks over there but their data is very very elusive or elucidating on how the Steelers are deploying their offense. The formations that they are going to the most are 12 personnel. That is one running back and two tight ends. 42% of their 214 offensive plays so far this year have been in 12 personnel. Right after that is 11 personnel. So, one running back and one tight end on the field or some sort of modified version of that. They’re running that about 30% of the time. And then that 13 that that three tight end personnel that they talked about so much, they are running it more than a lot of teams. 11% of their plays have featured three tight ends on the field. What’s up nation? I’ve teamed up with DraftKings. The next great touchdown is coming. You can bet on it. And the best way to do so is through DraftKings Sportsbook, where new customers who bet $5 get $200 in bonus bets if your bet wins. With the by-week behind us, now is the time to get in on the action. Love the thrill of live betting? DraftKings has got you covered. Bet live on in progress games right as they happen. Then use your bonus bets to stay in on the action and bet DraftKings same game parlays for a shot at an even bigger payout. And don’t worry if sports betting is not yet available in your state, you’re fine. You can still join in on all of the fun with DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports and have the shot to win cash prizes. New customers who bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets if your bet wins. Sign up using my promo code, all Steelers, and get in on the action. Only at DraftKings Sportsbook. The problem is the more tight ends that are on the field, the worse they perform. According to that same data, uh the uh expected points added by these plays whenever they are in different formations, it’s very clear where they are succeeding. When they are in 12 personnel, their EPA is not so great. It is a negative, let me find this note right here, negative 7.92 EPA. And when they are in 13 personnel, they are toing a slightly better negative 5.93 EPA. Both of those rank 27th in the NFL amongst teams running in that personnel. Contrarily, when they have 11 personnel, so one tight end on the field, they are doing considerably better. They boast an EPA of 12.8, which is the 14th best in the NFL. What I’m saying is the Steelers are kind of knowing how their bread is buttered so far. They have certain uses of going bigger, of utilizing more tight ends on the field, but they know when Aaron Rogers has the ball in his hands, they’re doing better with less tight ends on the field. And unfortunately that means less Pat Frier move because when they have their brothers when they have their choice that one tight end on the field is so often becoming John Smith and is so often becoming even more so Darnell Washington. The one saving grace I will give Pat Frier here over the next couple of weeks is he is probably the best pure route runner of those three tight end options. The Steelers have a absence an absence of route runners without Calvin Austin on the field and he’s expected to miss some time as we talked about yesterday on all Steelers talk. He did not seem very optimistic about how things were going to play out with his uh injury situation. So, in the meantime, the Steelers need more passcatching options, more receiving threats for Aaron Rogers in this offense to keep it moving. Pat Frymouth has an opportunity here to reassert himself, to reinsert himself into this offense and to become a featured player once again. Otherwise, this $12 million tight end is going from number one on the depth chart to watching from the sidelines more and more. I think that’s going to do it for me here on Punto’s Playbook today. Pat Frier, where do we go from here? That’s the biggest question. Uh, thank you guys so much for tuning in for another one. Thanks so much for the feedback and all of your questions and all your thoughts so far as we’re getting started with Puntori’s Playbook. If you like what we do and if you like All Steelers Talk, you can subscribe at youtube.com/allsteelers talk. You can check us out anywhere you get your podcasts. And if you like what we do, you can check out our work at si.comnflers. I’ll be back on Friday with another episode of Puntoriy’s Playbook breaking down how the Steelers can beat the Cleveland Browns in their first AFC North matchup. But until then, be good and be kind to each other, Yenszers and Steelers Nation, and I will see y’all soon. Peace.

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33 comments

  3. SMH, nothing is going on, just the media looking into a room that they can't get in. Pat is not a blocking TE in the run game, which takes away from his snaps (good decision A.S.) Washington is a better blocker due to his size. Should we even bring up the HYBRID TE – WR Junno Smith, pro bowler? (THE BEST ROUTE RUNNER OF THE 3, BUT PAT DOES SNEAK IN OPEN COVERAGES) Coaches utilize players when needed; he will get his reps; it's not about Pat but what's best for the team. I don't understand the topic of discussion we won, and we still have questions. The nation just needs to roll with the coach's decision instead of acting like we're in a team meeting to watch films and make decisions concerning players' time on the field. If Pat is not on the field, why are we focused on the players not on the field, COACH Punturi? Oh, last year's games have nothing to do with this year's games. AND if the time comes, hopefully we will get a nice pick or player IF THE STEELERS DECIDE to move in a different DIRECTION from Pat> # GONATION #ALLSTEERLERSTALK keeps me in the loop#100

  4. We have a better blocker in Washington and a better receiver in Smith; I don't think its all that surprising that Muth isn't being prioritized. It'd be nice if a TE needy team could give us a WR back for him.

  6. Iā€™ve noticed some looks and body language between him and Rodgers that donā€™t seem all that friendly. Patā€™s dropped some passes that good tight ends are supposed to catch. Honestly, Iā€™m just not sold on him being anything more than average at this point. I wouldn't be upset if he was traded.

  7. Why are Steelers fan insisting on getting the ball to people who aren't a threat to break a short pass into a touchdown??? We should be targeting PLAYMAKERS like DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin who are touchdown threats every time they touch the ball. Every single target to Friermuth, Heyward, and Jonnu Smith is taking AWAY targets that could have gone to your more athletic playmakers. The only saving grace for Jonnu Smith is that last year he had lots of YAC for a TE but even he isn't going to be a bigger threat than your much faster receivers. When Rodgers isn't throwing to a big time playmaker, he should be targeting Darnell Washington with the sole point being to keep the defense honest knowing that even though he is destroying you with his blocking in the running game, you can't assume he is always going to just block so linebackers have to be hesitant even when it's a run. The other TEs don't give the defense much of a dilemna because they don't block nearly as well. He should also be targeted in the red zone because of his size advantage and no need for YAC there and how much it will open up the red zone run game there as well.

    So the winning offense going forward for the Steelers is passing to DK and some other blazing speedster receiver with an occasional pass to Mount Washington here and there to help with the run game. Then checkdown to backs only when no one else is open. Passing to any of the other TEs except in VERY rare occasions is just playing losing football. DK and Calvin weren't seeing enough targets as it is already! Why force passes to slower, less athletic players? It makes no sense.

  9. It's the blocking – he & Jonnu were on the sidelines in Ireland bc Aaron can't throw from his back. It was part of the game plan going in. He gets better at blocking, esp now with Austin out, he'll get his targets. Though I'd love to see Washington get a ton more – an Eric Green in the making.

  11. You have zero idea what you talking bout.. the moment you said muth was a decent blocker .. dude is trash at blocking .. soft as hell..

    And muth route running mid as hell too

    Last season showed me he was overrated

  12. Darnell Washington is clearly our most talented and valuable tight end, Jonnu smith is our best receiving tight end, so whatā€™s the point of keeping muth when he isnā€™t even the best at what he does. Trade him and a day 3 pick you should be able to get a true solid wide receiver 2.

  17. I hope you all understand this guyā€˜s not even a top 20 tight end in the league nothing against him, but he has been the most overhyped thing there has been in Pittsburgh. Iā€™ve said it since his rookie year he does nothing for me drops critical balls canā€™t break a tackle of his life depended on it. Iā€™ve never seen small corners Be able to destroy a tight end like they do to him. He runs sloppy routes canā€™t block. I donā€™t understand why heā€™s even on the team.

  19. It's alarmist nonsense because we throw the ball so few times. There is simply not enough opportunity to spread the ball around. Pat hasn't made the most of when he has got his chances but it's not like the other TEs are clearly superior. And as you said if we're running more and the OLine is struggling then playing the bigger sets is what we need to do. So again less opportunity. J. Smith is a little older and similar cost but I don't expect either of them to be on the team in 2 years. We'll have a completely new room with just Washington leftover being the main old school type of TE where he gets 30-40 catches a season and is the 6th lineman.

  22. He should feel guilty taking 12 million a year. his playing time is way down. I would like to know why. He isn't the best blocking tight end but he used to be able to get open across the middle. Is it because he isn't getting open on his pass routes? Or is he getting open?

  23. Muth can't block, and he's fairly slow. One of the other TE's is a potential pro bowl blocker, the other TE is a potential pro bowl receiver. Muth is getting washed out. Heyward is a specialist, a jack of all trades and a special teamer. Muth caused that blocked FG.

  24. What's with all of the Muth concern,he had 3 or 4 years to lock up the position and he was very average,I'm more concerned with DWash not getting enough looks,the man is unguardable and I was shocked when the Steelers gave Muth that contract

  30. It is hardly bad.
    We are four games in.
    Different tactics for different games, man.
    It's called having a deep bullpen.

    Ffs overreaction monday much?

  32. I'm a Penn State guy…but he has not performed and the biggest problem is he will not block!(see Mike Gesicki) Another big athletic guy who pretends tight ends dont have to block anymore….thats why he's on the sideline. In fact, this season we have 4 tight ends but 3 cant block worth a shit! I'm still waiting for someone on the Steelers coaching staff to watch film and realize EVERY time theyhave little Heyward lined up in the backfield as a fullback or H back he misses his block!

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