Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth Revealed The Critical Role Ben Roethlisberger Played In Helping Him As A Rookie In 2021

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Pat Freiermuth in the second round (55th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, infusing the team with anticipation and excitement. As the Steelers' veteran quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, had a penchant for utilizing tight ends, there was considerable buzz surrounding Freiermuth's arrival. The prospect of Freiermuth catching passes from the iconic quarterback added to the anticipation.

Freiermuth had the opportunity to play alongside Roethlisberger during the final season of the quarterback's remarkable 18-year career in Pittsburgh. Recently, Freiermuth made an appearance on the Podward State podcast, hosted by Penn State students, where he reminisced about his experience playing with the legendary Roethlisberger.

"It was awesome. I got there day one and my locker was right next to his. Just learning from a future Hall of Famer, first-ballot guy, was awesome. Being a young guy in my first year in the league, there were so many situations thrown at you, so many different people coming at you from different angles, I thought it was kind of cool to have someone next to my locker to talk me through things and help me grow and teach me how it is to be a pro. Ben was a great mentor to me, and I can't say enough good things about him."

While Freiermuth only had one season to play with Roethlisberger, he's experienced throwing partnerships with three other different quarterbacks over his three seasons in the NFL. Mason Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky, and Kenny Pickett have all targeted Freiermuth with passes. When asked on the podcast about the prospect of establishing new connections with two incoming quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Freiermuth shared his thoughts.

“Yeah, it’s just building a relationship just like any relationship in life really. Doing the extra things like going out to dinner or eating together in the cafeteria. Watching extra film together football specifically, you know just talking through things that the quarterback sees. You know being able to workout with the guys. I’m in San Diego right now working out with Russ and a couple of the receivers and stuff. We are building that on-field rapport as well as off."

Freiermuth shared that he's currently in San Diego, where he's working out with Wilson and a couple of fellow wide receivers. Even though the season is still a ways off, it's encouraging to see Wilson wasting no time in connecting with his teammates. Joining Freiermuth and Wilson in San Diego were Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson, further enhancing the camaraderie and preparation.

As the 2024 season approaches, the Steelers are poised for excitement with a wave of new faces on both the coaching staff and roster. With the upcoming draft adding another layer of anticipation for fans, the stage is set for an intriguing season. The infusion of fresh talent augments the team's Super Bowl aspirations for 2024. Despite recent playoff struggles, there's optimism that Wilson's arrival can reignite the Steelers' competitiveness in the postseason, potentially leading to a deep playoff run or even Super Bowl contention.

Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Is Expected To Have A Huge 2024 Season

With the appointment of new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, the Steelers' offensive strategy is now in highly capable hands. Smith boasts a track record of success as an offensive coordinator, despite encountering challenges as a head coach. During his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons, Smith orchestrated an offense that heavily utilized tight ends, commanding a remarkable 34 percent target distribution to the position in 2023.

As Freiermuth enters his fourth NFL season, he's poised for a resurgence. Despite a dip in targets in 2023, partly due to injury-related absences, Freiermuth still managed to contribute with 32 receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns. A stark comparison emerges when examining his performance alongside Roethlisberger, where he flourished with 60 receptions for 497 yards and seven touchdowns. With Smith at the helm, there's palpable anticipation among Steeler Nation for Freiermuth to enjoy a highly productive season ahead.