With 21 tight ends taken in this year’s draft, a new record, the new trend that seems to be catching on in the NFL is using multiple tight ends. As teams try to scheme up mismatches, tight ends that are capable blockers and receivers are more valuable than ever. Where do the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tight ends rank league-wide? According to Bucky Brooks, Pittsburgh has a top-five unit.
“The Steelers’ inclusion on this list might surprise some observers, but Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington are two gritty TEs who excel at knocking defenders off the ball on running plays,” Brooks wrote for NFL.com. “With a pair of effective edge blockers in the lineup, the Steelers can create big-play opportunities on the ground on various off-tackle plays and sweeps.”
Even though Freiermuth had a quiet season in 2025 by his own standards and Washington’s pass-catching statistics weren’t eye-popping, both possess the all-around skill set that is attractive in today’s NFL. With a new coaching staff featuring an offensive-minded head coach in Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio, who spent many years as a tight ends coach, there is a real reason to believe that Pittsburgh’s tight ends will have productive seasons.
“They are adept chain-movers (with a combined catch rate of 74.2% and 37 receiving first downs in 2025) who can expand the strike zone for Aaron Rodgers…collectively, Freiermuth and Washington have the potential to help Mike McCarthy build out a ball-control offense that accentuates his veteran quarterback’s strengths as a quick-rhythm passer, while also setting the table for a punishing running game. And that merits a spot on this list for the Steelers’ tight end group.”
Last season, Rodgers relied on the quick passing game, and Freiermuth and Washington are the perfect options to eat up targets while still being assets in the run game. Any team that can line up in 12 personnel and force opponents to keep their base defense on the field will be able to create mismatches in the passing game if the tight ends are capable receivers. That’s exactly the formula that Pittsburgh can use this season to unlock its passing game.
Freiermuth is looking for a bounce-back year and should have a bigger focus now that Arthur Smith and Jonnu Smith are no longer with the team.
While Pittsburgh’s offense still feels like a work in progress on many fronts, the tight end position is certainly one of its strengths. With proper coaching, this season could even be a surprise breakout for Freiermuth and Washington if the offense focuses on the position in the passing game. Even if the numbers aren’t there, the contributions in the run game and the selfless attitude they both bring to the offense make their value that much higher.
