Pat Freiermuth was one of many first folks to achieve out to Jonnu Smith after the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for him a month in the past. As a crew chief, it felt like the correct factor to do. However naturally, Freiermuth had some questions—significantly about how the arrival of one other tight finish, particularly one coming off a Professional Bowl season with almost 900 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, would possibly influence his position within the offense.
Based on Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette’s Brian Batko, Arthur Smith received out forward of any questions throughout a sitdown with Freiermuth.
“I don’t see one actually outstripping the opposite by so much statistically. I believe that’s why they’ve them each right here is as a result of they do have a plan to make the most of each so much,” Batko mentioned by way of 93.7 The Fan with Austin Bechtold. “Perhaps the extra fascinating facet of it was one thing that I heard from Freiermuth and that was that Arthur Smith, after the commerce for Jonnu Smith, sat Pat down and confirmed him some clips and I suppose drew up some performs of, ‘Hey, right here’s what I bear in mind.’
“In order that to me says a bit little bit of, okay, they’re not less than conscious that this narrative from the surface is how are you going to maintain each of those tight ends joyful?”
Jonnu Smith is not any stranger to being part of high-powered TE duos. He’s nearly at all times been part of one since getting into the league. First it was Delanie Walker with the Tennessee Titans, then Hunter Henry with the New England Patriots and eventually Kyle Pitts with the Atlanta Falcons. And Arthur Smith was his coach for 3 of these seasons. Freiermuth is new to not being the clear high man in that room, nonetheless.
Freiermuth has been prepared for a breakout season for a couple of years now. He led the crew in receptions with a profession excessive of 65 final season, but it surely nonetheless felt like he was underutilized. And his prospects of a breakout season appeared excessive when the Steelers introduced in Aaron Rodgers. The current commerce difficult issues.
No matter Arthur Smith confirmed Freiermuth, he will need to have been glad with the plan. He was speaking up the chances between the 2 of them within the offense and mentioned he thinks each are in for an enormous yr. Additionally, Jonnu Smith mentioned they’re the finest tight finish duo within the league on paper, whereas acknowledging that they now should show it.
Smith’s offensive system is understood for being tight-end pleasant. This has the potential to be the very best TE room of his profession, particularly when including Darnell Washington to that blend.
With the dearth of what many would take into account a real No. 2 WR, the tight ends have an enormous alternative forward of them to fill that void.
