Steelers HC Explains What's Happening With Pat Freiermuth
After tight end Pat Freiermuth played just 21 snaps against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin laid out the reasoning behind his reduced role as the team prepares to face the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.
"We have a certain personality, particularly when we play 4-3 teams," Tomlin said. "I haven't been bashful about that. That's why we drafted Darnell Washington. You can't play 4-3 teams with 250-pound tight ends. You can't. The weight classes in combat sports [are] for a reason, and so when the EDGE people are 300 pounds, you better have somebody out there that looks like that animal. And so that was our intentions [against] Minnesota, and so certainly as we move into divisional play in the next couple of weeks and we're playing two 4-3 teams, chances are you're gonna see more of that.
"It's unfair at times to ask guys like Pat Freiermuth and Connor [Heyward] to block 4-3 ends. That's not real realistic if you want to have a real good run game day."
Freiermuth's Performance vs. Vikings
Freiermuth's 21 total snaps against Minnesota was the lowest count of any game he's appeared in across his five years in the NFL thus far.
The 26-year-old was charted by Pro Football Focus as having just seven run blocking reps after logging 19 against the New England Patriots, who run a 3-4 base defense, during Week 3.
Freiermuth's Role Moving Forward
As Tomlin insinuated, Washington should see more playing time against 4-3 defenses due to his 6-foot-7, 264-pound frame and the fact that he's widely regarded as one of the better blocking tight ends in the league.
Washington, whose 55 total reps vs. Minnesota was his most in a single game since Week 6 of the 2024 campaign, helped kickstart a Steelers run game that had been dormant all season long. The team went off for 131 yards on the ground against a stout Vikings defense even without starter Jaylen Warren healthy, as Kenneth Gainwell led the way with 99 yards on 19 carries.
Freiermuth, while not necessarily a subpar blocker, certainly isn't anywhere near Washington's level in that regard. His value to Pittsburgh comes from his prowess as a receiver, and while he's hauled in just seven passes for 65 yards so far this season, he's coming off a 2024 campaign in which he recorded 653 yards to go alongside seven touchdowns.
If the Steelers' game plan against 4-3 defenses doesn't warrant Freiermuth getting a ton of reps, however, than it's hard to justify see him seeing the field over Washington based on his threat level in the passing game.
Pittsburgh's offense looked the best it has all season against the Vikings, and it sure seems as though Freiermuth will continue to take a back seat over the coming weeks as the Steelers take on the Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.
Mike Macdonald: 'Jalen Milroe Is a Key Part of Our Future—One Fumble Won’t Define Him!'
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is standing firmly behind rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe after his recent mishap on the field. Milroe, who was inserted into the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter, made a costly fumble that led to a turnover. However, instead of dwelling on the mistake, Macdonald has made it clear that the fumble won't alter his commitment to Milroe's development or his role on the team moving forward.
"Jalen Milroe is a big part of our future," Macdonald stated confidently. "One fumble doesn’t define his potential. We’ve got big plans for him, and we're committed to giving him every opportunity to succeed. Watch him grow as we go."
Macdonald’s statement reflects his deep belief in Milroe’s long-term potential and his role in the Seahawks' offense. Despite the turnover, Milroe’s athleticism, speed, and raw talent remain evident. It’s clear that Macdonald sees the rookie’s upside and is determined to continue giving him meaningful opportunities to grow, even if the learning curve includes moments of adversity.
Milroe’s ability to make plays with his legs has been one of the key reasons the Seahawks' coaching staff is so invested in him. His dynamic skill set provides a unique element to the offense, one that allows for more creativity in play calling. The fumble, though unfortunate, is just one play in a long season, and Macdonald emphasized that it won’t deter the team from using Milroe in critical moments.
"We have more plays for Jalen," Macdonald continued. "I think it's a combination of we really like the plays that we have for him and we're doing a lot of great things on offense when Sam's the only quarterback in the game too, so trying to balance that as well." The coach further added, "We want to stay aggressive too."
The key takeaway from Macdonald’s words is the Seahawks' commitment to Milroe’s development. His rookie season will be filled with learning experiences, and Macdonald is not backing down from the challenge of nurturing Milroe into a future star. The team recognizes that it takes time for quarterbacks to adjust to the NFL, especially those with the athletic ability that Milroe possesses.
Looking ahead, Milroe will continue to be a part of Seattle’s plans. His progression will be closely watched, as the team works to refine his passing skills while continuing to utilize his strengths in the running game. As Macdonald said, the team is "committed to giving him every opportunity to succeed," and that includes allowing him to make mistakes and learn from them.
With the season still young, Milroe’s journey is just beginning. And with the backing of Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks coaching staff, there’s no doubt that his future in Seattle is bright.
