Pat Freiermuth Reacts to Penn State Head Coach Opening
Tight end Pat Freiermuth is focused on his job with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But he still always has an eye on his alma mater — Penn State.
It’s been a tough season for the Nittany Lions. After rising to a top three position in the AP Poll, Penn State suffered three consecutive losses. The first defeat was to the No. 6 Oregon Ducks, but the next two were against the struggling UCLA Bruins and Northwestern Wildcats.
After dropping the Northwestern matchup, 22-21, Penn State fired long-time head coach James Franklin.
Although he sees why the move was necessary, Freiermuth told Heavy Sports in an exclusive interview this week that parting with Franklin in the middle of the season is not a choice he would have made.
“I don’t agree with the decision so early [in the season],” the tight end said Tuesday. “I understand why, obviously, with the couple losses to some certain teams.
“But I wish they would have allowed him to finish out what he started and seen what could have transpired the rest of the season.”
Penn State fired Franklin after a 3-3 start to the 2025 campaign. Franklin led the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoffs semifinals just nine months ago.
Pat Freiermuth’s Close Relationship With Former Penn State Head Coach James Franklin
Freiermuth played for Penn State from 2018-20. All three seasons were under Franklin, who recruited the Massachusetts native to come to Pennsylvania to play tight end.
It’s that relationship that makes it difficult for the tight end to accept the Nittany Lions parted with Franklin in the middle of a season.
“I was very close to Coach Franklin. Him, my family, we were really close. He was always really good to me and my loved ones,” said Freiermuth.
“I feel for him. I feel for how it all played out.”
Freiermuth burst onto the scene as an immediate star at Penn State. He hauled in eight touchdowns as a freshman. He scored 15 receiving touchdowns in his first 26 contests from 2018-19.
Shoulder surgery cut his final college season in 2020 to only four games. Yet, Freiermuth still became the first Penn State tight end to win the Big Ten’s Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year award.
Freiermuth stated he doesn’t know where the Nittany Lions might go with their head coach opening. But the tight end implied he wants whoever replaces Franklin to succeed.
“I’m interested to see who they hire. I’m always rooting for Penn State.”
Freiermuth Encouraging Penn State Alum to Give Blood in Donation Competition
Penn State won’t be winning the Big Ten football championship this fall. However, the school can still beat its conference rivals in “The We Give Blood Drive”.
The global health leader Abbott and the Big Ten Conference established the blood drive last year. Now in its second season, the drive is a competition to see which Big Ten school can donate the most blood.
The winning school will receive $1 million from Abbott to advance student and community health initiatives.
Freiermuth is raising awareness to the blood shortage issue in the United States to both tackle the problem and earn Penn State the victory in the competition.
“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 in the blood drive will be accepted through December 5. The conference will announce the winning school at the Big Ten championship game the following day.
To sign up to donate blood for a particular school, visit BigTen.Org/Abbott.
BAKER MAYFIELD TO THE DOUBTERS: ‘THIS IS THE YEAR I SHOW WHAT I CAN DO!’
In the highly competitive landscape of the NFL, few players have endured as much scrutiny as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. From his celebrated rise to the top as the No. 1 overall pick to the turbulent seasons that followed, Mayfield has faced constant doubters and critics. But now, entering his sixth season, the former Heisman Trophy winner is speaking with more confidence than ever, proclaiming that 2025 is the year he silences all those who have questioned his abilities.
“This is the year I show what I can do,” Mayfield declared in a recent interview, his voice brimming with determination. “I’ve heard the noise, I’ve seen the doubts, but it’s time to show that I’m capable of leading this team to where it needs to go.”
The 2025 season marks a pivotal point in Mayfield’s career. After bouncing between teams in recent years, his tenure with the Bucs has provided a fresh opportunity to prove himself. For a quarterback with immense potential but a history of inconsistent performances, the spotlight is now brighter than ever, and the pressure is mounting.
The Road to Redemption
When Mayfield was selected by the Cleveland Browns as the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the expectations were sky-high. He immediately made an impact, setting rookie records and leading the Browns to their first playoff appearance in over a decade. But as the years passed, the once-promising quarterback faced multiple setbacks. Injuries, inconsistent play, and a carousel of coaching changes left many wondering if he would ever live up to his initial hype.
Mayfield's move to the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 was seen by many as a potential turning point, and while he showed glimpses of brilliance, the lack of long-term stability left more questions than answers. Now, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mayfield finds himself in a situation that feels right for a career revival.
Head coach Todd Bowles has publicly stated his belief in Mayfield’s ability to lead the offense. “Baker’s got the tools, he’s got the mentality,” Bowles said. “It’s all about consistency now. He has a chance to make a real impact here, and we’re confident he’s up for the challenge.”
The Chemistry with the Bucs
One of the major storylines for the Buccaneers this season has been Mayfield’s developing chemistry with the team’s dynamic receiving corps, headlined by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Mayfield’s arm strength and ability to make precise throws down the field align perfectly with the skill set of his star wideouts. The early signs have been promising, with the offense showing signs of fluidity and explosive potential in their first few games.
While the Bucs’ offense has yet to truly click into gear, Mayfield’s leadership on and off the field has been evident. He’s the first to hold himself accountable after mistakes and equally quick to praise his teammates for their successes. That sense of accountability and humility has already begun to win over the locker room.
The Doubters, and the Opportunity Ahead
Despite the growing support within the Buccaneers organization, the larger NFL world remains skeptical. Mayfield still has much to prove, especially after enduring a series of letdowns in Cleveland and Los Angeles. But what is clear is that the 2025 season is shaping up to be Mayfield’s defining moment.
Mayfield’s confidence is unwavering. "I don’t need to prove anything to anyone except myself and my teammates," he said. "I know what I’m capable of. This year, I’m going to show it."
As the Buccaneers head into Week 9 with a chance to build on their strong start, Mayfield’s declaration has injected a renewed sense of optimism into a fanbase that has seen its fair share of struggles since the departure of Tom Brady. The journey ahead will be difficult, but if Mayfield can translate his promise into performance, he may just silence the doubters once and for all.
For Baker Mayfield, the stakes have never been higher. And with a renewed focus, a strong supporting cast, and an unshakeable belief in himself, this truly could be the year he finally proves everyone wrong. The NFL world is watching, and Mayfield is ready to answer the call.
