The Pittsburgh Steelers have locked up another one of their players for the long haul, as the team has agreed to a contract extension with tight end Pat Freiermuth.
The deal, which has been expected for some time now, has been confirmed by his agency, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, and it's a four-year deal worth $48.4 million.
Based on those initial numbers, the total value is ranked seventh among tight ends, while the annual average of $12.1 million ranks ninth, just one spot ahead of Houston Texans veteran tight end, Dalton Schultz, per Over the Cap.
Freiermuth is the second Steeler to get a deal done with the team, as veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward recently inked a three-year, $45 million extension.
Pat Freiermuth’s agency confirms the tight end’s 4 year, $48.4 million deal via IG pic.twitter.com/O8dTkqjJTm
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 6, 2024
A former second-round pick of the Steelers in 2021, Freiermuth enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022, posting career-highs in receptions (63) and receiving yards (732). He saw a dip in production in 2023, but he also missed five games due to injury and had to deal with downright awful quarterback play and play-calling.
We know Freiermuth can be an impact pass-catcher, and he's going to have ample opportunity to prove it in 2024, as the Steelers are lacking reliable pass-catching options in their receiving corps., which could make Freiermuth the No. 2 option though the air.
The Steelers also have an offensive coordinator who likes to utilize his tight ends, and Freiermuth has the best quarterback situation he's had since his rookie year.
Pittsburgh will begin its 2024 campaign on the road against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon.
