Latest news with #PatFreiermuth
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3 days ago
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Saunders: Lets Slow Down Darnell Washington to Tackle Talk
UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers have an over-abundance of talent at the tight end position after trading for Jonnu Smith, adding him to Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward in a position group so deep that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has designed plays with all four of them on the field at the same time. The amount of talent at that position — and some struggles at tackle — have some Steelers fans clamoring for the idea of moving Washington from over one spot, from tight end to tackle. The Georgia product, who played at over 300 pounds last year, is a gigantic tight end. Visually, he looks bigger than Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones, who has slimmed down even further ahead of this season. But that doesn't mean that moving Washington to tackle is a good idea. A lot of the line of thinking for such a move comes from the idea that Washington is being wasted as purely a blocker at the tight end position. But that simply isn't the case. A shaky offensive line absolutely needs a player like Washington to help anchor the unit, keep a quarterback clean, and help in the running game. In a division with the likes of Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson, who do you want chipping or doubling an elite edge rusher, Washington or Freiermuth? That's a no brainer. Washington next to Jones is a heck of a lot better than Jonnu Smith or Freiermuth next to Washington. Washington also simply isn't a good enough blocker to play offensive line right now. He will always have to deal with a high pad level, and he doesn't bend all that well. Despite him usually having an enormous size advantage, he doesn't finish blocks with players on their backs like he could. Could he develop those traits one day? Probably, if he worked at it. But he'd be about the fifth-best tackle on the Steelers roster right now. The Steelers also don't need to throw the ball to Washington a lot more than they have to justify his presence in the lineup at tight end. A good blocking tight end is plenty valuable in its own right. Josh Oliver was targeted 12 times by the Minnesota Vikings last season. He signed a three-year $23.25 million contract extension this offseason. John Bates was targeted 13 times by the Washington Commanders last season. He signed a three-year, $21 million contract this offseason. Comparatively, with 25 targets last year, Washington was used a ton. And even with a million targets, Washington would never be receiving threat on the level of Freiermuth or Smith. Could the Steelers find him some more work in the red zone, where he Mossed Miles Killebrew in a goal line drill on Monday? Absolutely. And that's part of the reason Arthur Smith has been toying with so many multi-tight end packages. Could the Steelers get him a couple of reps outside to gain some comfort level in using him as an emergency backup at the spot? Sure. But the idea of moving him to tackle doesn't make much sense for anyone at this juncture. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Saunders: Lets Slow Down Darnell Washington to Tackle Talk Related Headlines Pittsburgh Steelers Work Out Physical Defensive Back Steelers Unveil Initial 2025 Preseason Depth Chart Steelers' Price Tag for Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Revealed Maurkice Pouncey Hall of Fame Odds Revealed for 2026
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
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Steelers Unveil Initial 2025 Preseason Depth Chart
UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers released their first depth chart of the 2025 season on Tuesday as the team prepares to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars for Week 1 of the preseason on Saturday. The first depth chart contained relatively few surprises compared to the way the Steelers have been lining up for two weeks of training camp practices in Latrobe. But here's some notable items from the release: The Steelers listed three tight ends in the starting lineup: Pat Freiermuth OR Jonnu Smith at one spot and Darnell Washington at the other. They also included just two wide receivers: DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III. That's a chance from years past, when the Steelers usually listed one tight end and three wide receivers as starers. Behind Austin and Metcalf are veterans Scotty Miller and Robert Woods, with second-year receiver Roman Wilson listed as a third-teamer. Wilson has been working with the starters through most of training camp, but usually when they have three wide receivers on the field, so it's a bit surprising to see him behind Miller and Woods, but the veterans have largely been more productive than the 2024 second-round pick. At running back, Kaleb Johnson is the third back listed, behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Johnson has usually been the second back to work in rotations with the first and second teams. The listing simply could be an example of head coach Mike Tomlin wanting a rookie to earn his stripes. On defense, Logan Lee is listed ahead of fifth-round pick Yahya Black for the sixth defensive line slot. Black is listed on the depth chart as a nose tackle, and Lee a defensive end, even though they've been playing the opposite positions in camp. After Jalen Ramsey and Mike Tomlin were very coy about his position early in camp, the Steelers have officially codified Ramsey as the team's slot cornerback, with Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay the starters outside. There are two other 'or' designations on the depth chart: between DeMarvin Leal and Jack Sawyer behind T.J. Watt at outside linebacker and also between punter/holders Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman. STEELERS 2025 PRESEASON WEEK 1 DEPTH CHART This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Unveil Initial 2025 Preseason Depth Chart Related Headlines Former Steelers Safety Signs with AFC South Team Steelers Star TE Leaves Practice with Injury Uh Oh: Steelers QB Leaves Practice Early on Tuesday Steelers' New Arrival Given Minkah Fitzpatrick's Jersey Number
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3 days ago
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Steelers Sights & Sounds: Jonnu Smith Returns, Works Contested Catches
UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to feature two tight ends significantly in their offense in 2025, with Jonnu Smith joining the mix with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. That's going to mean more passes over the middle and more contested catches, which the Steelers worked on with Smith in his return to practice on Wednesday after being bothered by a knee injury on Tuesday. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Sights & Sounds: Jonnu Smith Returns, Works Contested Catches Related Headlines Steelers Get Good News on Derrick Harmon Mike Tomlin Rules Out Several Starters vs. Jaguars Jaguars Will Play Starters vs. Steelers Steelers All-Pro DT Cam Heyward is Seeking Raise, Hasn't Fully Participated at Camp
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
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Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger reveals Pat Freiermuth's reaction to Jonnu Smith trade
From Steelers fans to TE Connor Heyward, many were worried about how Jonnu Smith would fit into the already crowded tight end room — but according to the legendary Ben Roethlisberger, TE Pat Freiermuth doesn't share that mindset. On a recent episode of the Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast, Big Ben revealed Freiermuth's initial reaction to Smith joining the Steelers' tight end room: "I did text Pat when it happened,' Roethlisberger said. 'He seemed to be really in high spirits. He was excited. He goes, 'I think the two of us can really do some cool things.' So, I think that'll be interesting to see how that transpires. And a young dude that you might be able to keep here for a while. I'm sure [Aaron Rodgers] is really excited about it." Smith is coming off a breakout 2024 season — recording 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, resulting in the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. Fans can expect a heavy dose of two- and three-tight end sets in Pittsburgh this season — as the Steelers now have a three-headed monster with Smith, Freiermuth, and the massive third-year Darnell Washington. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers legend reveals Pat Freiermuth's reaction to Jonnu Smith trade
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
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Madden NFL 26 Top-10 TEs: will Steelers' Jonnu Smith or Pat Freiermuth make the list?
EA just revealed the top-10 player ratings at each position for Madden NFL 26 — and although the Steelers acquired one of the league's best pass-catching tight ends this offseason, neither Pro Bowler Jonnu Smith nor Pat Freiermuth made the cut. Here are the newly released Madden NFL 26 player ratings for the top-10 tight ends — with Smith's projected 80 overall rating just five points short of the group. 49ers, George Kittle – 98 Overall Chiefs, Travis Kelce – 93 Overall Cardinals, Trey McBride – 92 Overall Ravens, Mark Andrews – 91 Overall Raiders, Brock Bowers – 90 Overall Browns, David Njoku – 89 Overall Vikings, T.J. Hockenson – 88 Overall Eagles, Dallas Goedert – 87 Overall Lions, Sam LaPorta – 86 Overall Broncos, Evan Ingram – 85 Overall An argument can be made that Smith, who's coming off the best year of his career, deserves a spot among Madden's top tight ends — but clearly, both he and Freiermuth still have doubters to silence this season. Many expect Smith to play a versatile and pivotal role for the Steelers this upcoming season — potentially enough to raise his Madden rating and break into the top mark. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Madden NFL 26 Top-10 TEs revealed — Steelers' tight ends left off list
