The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the deepest tight end rooms in the NFL this season. That depth has enable the Steelers to use different formations to both run and pass in jumbo packages. But there is a downside to having more tight ends — it’s more mouths to feed, and the team’s No. 1 tight end, Pat Freiermuth, isn’t playing as much.
Through the first seven weeks of the 2025 NFL season, Freiermuth is playing significantly less. He’s lined up for 49% of the team’s offensive snaps. That’s down from the 69% of snaps he played on offense last year.
Even as a rookie, Freiermuth lined up for 62% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps in 2021. Before 2025, he’s been on the field for at least that amount every year since then.
But if the reduction in playing time bothers Freiermuth, he hasn’t shown it. The veteran tight end continued to preach his team-first attitude while speaking in an exclusive interview with Heavy Sports this week.
“I think having the right mentality, being a selfless player, being able to understand, it’s all about the win column. But as I’ve said, my time’s going to come and obviously it came against Cincinnati,” said Freiermuth on Tuesday.
“It’s going to continue to do that throughout the season. So you can look at it from game-to-game, and people can create narratives and stuff like that. But at the end of the day, it’s all about winning, and so anytime I can help contribute to team success, I’m all for it.”
Pat Freiermuth Fitting Into Steelers 2025 TE Plan
Freiermuth is still a dangerous pass-catcher when the Steelers use him as a route runner. As the tight end indicated, his opportunity came against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7.
Although it came in a losing effort, Freiermuth posted five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. His second score gave the Steelers the lead late in the fourth quarter.
But the team’s offense has deployed tight ends Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington for more snaps overall this season. Although that’s surprising given Freiermuth’s previous success, it’s been an effective strategy.
Washington gives the Steelers additional size to establish a running game. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has also used Spencer Anderson as a sixth offensive lineman for extra run protection.
“We have a lot of talent. Being able to execute the game plan that the coaches want us to, to attack the defense and their weaknesses, we’re able to get into heavy 12 and use Spencer as an extra offensive lineman with Darnell. That’s 1,000 pounds on that side of the ball,” said Freiermuth.
Anderson’s snap count increased significantly beginning in Week 4. Since then, the Steelers have averaged about 118 rushing yards per game.
How Much Does Darnell Washington Weigh?
Washington has become an effective run blocker for the Steelers because of his 6-foot-7 frame. The team lists Washington at 264 pounds, but it’s widely accepted that’s a vast underestimation of what he actually weighs.
Freiermuth kept Washington’s actually weight a mystery in his interview with Heavy Sports.
“I do have a clue, but I’m not gonna comment on it,” Freiermuth said while chuckling. “What is listed on the team’s website is not accurate, but I’m not gonna get specific.”
Interestingly, the Steelers list Freiermuth at 258 pounds. That just confirms Washington’s weight is significantly more than 264 pounds.
“Yes, on the official team website, I’m only eight pounds lighter,” Freiermuth said while continuing to smile. “I think when we stand next to each other, it’s easy to tell that’s not accurate.”
Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth Calling for Blood Drive Donations
Freiermuth takes a team approach off the field as well. This fall, he’s joined the battle against blood shortages in the United States.
The global health leader Abbott and the Big Ten Conference established “The We Give Blood Drive”, which is now in its second season. The blood drive is a competition among all 18 Big Ten schools.
Freiermuth is asking for Big Ten students, faculty, and alumni to donate blood for their school. He is especially pushing for Penn State students and alumni to make donations. Freiermuth played for the Nittany Lions from 2018-20.
The Big Ten school that donates the most blood will receive $1 million from Abbott to advance student and community health initiatives. The conference will announce the winning school at the Big Ten championship game on December 6.
“It’s super big because there’s a blood shortage,” Freiermuth said. “Every two seconds in the United States, people need blood. So this is obviously important. With the blood shortage, I’m encouraging people to donate blood.”
Donations will be accepted through December 5. To sign up to donate blood for a particular school, visit BigTen.Org/Abbott.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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