Aaron Rodgers Praises Pat Freiermuth’s Heart and Resilience: 'You Showed What It Means to Rise Above the Challenges'
In a season filled with highs and lows, one thing became crystal clear in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ heartbreaking loss to the Cincinnati Bengals: Pat Freiermuth’s unwavering resilience. The young tight end put on a display of mental toughness, catching five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, including a clutch 68-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that briefly gave the Steelers the lead. Despite the loss, it was his performance, and his heart, that earned the admiration of none other than future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, who joined the Steelers this season, has seen first-hand the heart and determination that Freiermuth brings to every game. After the game, Rodgers made it clear that it wasn’t just Freiermuth’s stats that stood out, but his ability to rise above the adversity and deliver when the team needed him most.
"Pat, you showed exactly what it means to rise above the challenges. Despite the tough circumstances, you stepped up when we needed you most. That’s the mentality we need in this league — always keep fighting, never back down. Your performance tonight wasn’t just about the plays you made, it was about your heart. That’s what makes you great,"
Freiermuth’s ability to stay focused and execute under pressure has made him one of the most reliable and respected players on the Steelers’ offense. His connection with Rodgers has grown stronger throughout the season, and the two seem to be developing a chemistry that will only become more dangerous as the season progresses. However, it wasn’t just the offensive stats that impressed Rodgers — it was the way Freiermuth handled the challenges on the field.
In a game that saw multiple momentum shifts, the Steelers’ offense struggled at times, but Freiermuth remained a constant. His effort to fight for every yard and give everything he had for his teammates was a prime example of what it means to never back down, a mentality that Rodgers believes is crucial for success in the NFL.
Despite the loss, this performance by Freiermuth was a silver lining. It serves as a reminder of the potential this team has, especially with young leaders like Freiermuth setting the tone. Rodgers’ praise for Freiermuth highlights the kind of leadership and heart that will drive the Steelers forward, and it’s clear that this is just the beginning for the talented tight end.
As the Steelers head into the next stretch of the season, they will carry with them the lessons from this tough loss, and Freiermuth’s heart-driven performance will undoubtedly be one of the key highlights that keeps them pushing toward their ultimate goal: greatness.
Analysts are starting to see what Raiders fans already knew about Geno Smith
The Las Vegas Raiders have not had a great start to the 2025 NFL season, as they sit at 2-4 after beating the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. It marked their first victory since the season opener, snapping a losing skid that lasted for over a month.
Many of their issues have had to do with an underwhelming offense and the struggles of Geno Smith. He has cost the Raiders two games alone with three-interception performances. Turnovers have been a major problem for the veteran quarterback, as he leads the league with ten interceptions.
While Las Vegas' coaching staff's faith in Smith has not wavered, it is clear that the franchise should be in the market for its quarterback of the future this offseason. An NFL analyst recently made a claim about his future that will not surprise Raiders fans in the slightest.
NFL analyst makes a prediction on Geno Smith's future that is not surprising to Raiders fans
The Raiders' offseason trade to land Smith was largely met with positive reviews. The move has not paid off, however, as he has been among the worst quarterbacks in the league through six games. Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon labeled him as one of the players with the most to prove over the remainder of the season.
"The 35-year-old has his work cut out for him trying to prove he isn't just a bridge quarterback for a team that may target a signal-caller in the first round of next year's draft, but he's done an abysmal job for one of the league's lowest-scoring teams," Gagnon wrote.
Gagnon does not believe Smith will be able to turn things around and predicted that he is in his final year as an NFL starter.
"Injuries have been a factor, but that alone doesn't get Smith off the hook," Gagnon wrote. "He's only been an average starter the last two-and-a-half years and is living off an aberrational standout 2022 campaign in Seattle. I doubt we will see him in a regular starting role again after 2025."
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Raiders fans are certainly not shocked by the prediction, as some have already called for the team to make a quarterback change. While it appears unlikely that Smith will be benched, it is apparent that he should not be in the team's long-term plans.
In addition to leading the league in interceptions, he ranks 16th in passing yards per game, tied for 21st in touchdowns, 20th in completion percentage, 31st in passer rating and 27th in quarterback rating. Cam Ward is the only player who has played all six games and thrown fewer touchdowns than Smith.
Although he has a relationship with head coach Pete Carroll that dates back to their time with the Seattle Seahawks, the quarterback has not looked the same in 2025. The more he struggles, the higher Las Vegas' chances of drafting his replacement become.
While it is unclear who will be under center for the Raiders in 2026, most fans would agree with Gagnon's assessment that it should not be Smith.
