Pat Freiermuth and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms on a new contract extension mere days before the regular season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
Freiermuth, has become a vitally important component to the Steelers’ passing game, potentially as the No. 2 target behind dynamic wide receiver George Pickens in quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields’ arsenal.
Under his new long-term extension, a four-year pact, Freirmuth will collect upwards of $48.4 million.
Freiermuth’s teammates were quick to praise the soon-to-be 26-year-old tight end, and the contract he just put pen to paper on.
“We were just so happy for Pat, man,” quarterback Russell Wilson told reporters. “He’s worked his tail off, just his composure, his leadership. I remember when I first got here … a bunch of us went out to dinner, and Pat was just talking about leadership, and I was able to listen to him and just hear, even though he’s such a young, talented player, he already has exudes this leadership about him and his confidence.
“It’s really tremendous. I’m excited for him, man. Anytime a guy gets acknowledgement in terms of financially and his family and everything else for all the hard work he’s done, that’s always a huge thing.”
How Pat Freiermuth’s Pittsburgh Steelers Contract Compares to Top Tight Ends
Since being chosen in the second-round of the 2021 NFL Draft, out of Penn State, Freirmuth has caught 155 passes for 1,537 yards with 11 touchdowns.
Freiermuth’s new deal doesn’t just ensure he’ll spend the next four seasons in the Iron City, but pays him among the premier players at his position.
Under the terms of his extension, Freiermuth becomes the sixth-highest paid tight end in terms of total contract value, garnering just $2 million less than the deal Evan Engram signed as a free agent prior to the 2022 campaign.
As the Steelers’ offense looks to find an identity and consistent weapons in the passing game, one thing is certain, Pittsburgh values Freiermuth and now pays him as such.
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