Pat Freiermuth named Steelers’ top trade candidate

DETROIT,MICHIGAN-December21: Tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball ahead of an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, December 21, 2025. (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images The Pittsburgh Steelers have added multiple notable pieces to their offense in the first month of the new league year. They traded for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr and signed two-time 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle.

That said, Pittsburgh has shown it is more than willing to move off proven players, and John Kosko of PFF has labeled tight end Pat Freiermuth as Pittsburgh’s top trade candidate. “The Steelers have a reliable, every-down tight end in Pat Freiermuth, but more pressing needs along the offensive line as they try to remain competitive,” Kosko writes . “His well-rounded skill set makes him an appealing option for teams in need of a tight end.

Trading Freiermuth could allow Pittsburgh to recoup draft capital to address the left side of the offensive line or add help at linebacker. ” Freiermuth is coming off a season that saw his snap count decrease to 51 percent of possible snaps, which is comfortably the lowest in his career. His previous career low came in 2021 when he was on the field for 62 percent of offensive snaps.

In 2024, the Penn State product was on the field for 69 percent of possible offensive snaps. Considering that Darnell Washington surpassed Freiermuth in terms of snaps played, as well as the fact that he is a far better run blocker than Freiermuth, the Steelers do find themselves in a tricky spot with their former second-round pick, who is set to carry a cap hit of $11. 2 million in 2026.