Freiermuth, Darnell Washington both score in loss

It sounds like Warren is belongs on the RB1/2 border with Rico Dowdle (toe) sidelined again this week. The Steelers will try to control the line of scrimmage by frequently deploying TEs Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, both in the run game and as receivers.

No, Washington can’t be trusted in fantasy, but he sure is fun when he gets a full head of steam. Washington caught a season-high three passes in Sunday’s win over the Bengals and led the Steelers in receiving yards, thanks largely to the 47-yard play he made in the fourth quarter. A true man among boys with the ball in his hands, Washington rumbled through and past multiple defenders on his way to the big gain. While he’s always good for an exciting play or two, Washington can be left on waivers for now.

Aaron Rodgers narrowly missed Freiermuth on a 20-plus-yard throw in the third quarter that could have been a touchdown if they had connected. Freiermuth has been targeted 14 times through the first three weeks but has just one meaningful fantasy line (5-45-1) thus far. Fantasy managers can find better options than Muth in Week 4’s game against the Browns.

Freiermuth has a hold on the Steelers’ TE1 role, getting much of Aaron Rodgers’ short-yardage looks in the flat and middle of the field. The Steelers were not in the red zone all that much, so we have yet to see the 27-year-old’s utilization there. Regardless, he is consistently a top-four pass-catching option for the team, he’s just stuck in the low-ceiling Pittsburgh offense. Freiermuth is a touchdown-dependent fantasy play and will be in the low-end TE2 ranks for Week 3 against the Bengals.

Pittman did not practice at all this week. If he plays, he could be fairly limited. We tentatively expect him to be inactive on game day, though. Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth had a solid role last week and could take on No. 2 pass-catcher duties if Pittman indeed cannot play. Steelers WR DK Metcalf will almost assuredly take on a larger role, operating as the team’s receiving focal point.

Pittman was limited yesterday, before no-showing during the portion of practice open to the media today. Typically, that series of events suggests the player suffered an injury during practice. He should be considered questionable to play in Week 2 against the Patriots at this point. Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth could end up being the biggest beneficiary, potentially operating as the team’s No. 2 target earner if Pittman cannot play.

Freiermuth had a down season last year, but the Steelers had talked about getting him more involved this year. The big tight end played on 49 of the team’s 67 snaps and ran a route on 36 of their 46 dropbacks. He was clearly the third option in the passing attack behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. and is a focal point in the red zone. Freiermuth is likely a solid TE2 option for the season who will flash TE1 weeks.

The Steelers notably signed TE Darnell Washington to a four-year, $42 million contract extension this offseason, but DeFabo believes Freiermuth is still the team’s TE1. He expects Washington to continue operating as a receiving threat, “especially in the red zone,” but he is apparently stuck in the TE2 role. Washington’s profile is certainly more intriguing, but he may be best viewed as a boom-bust backup option in best ball for now.

Washington’s contract includes $21 million in guaranteed money. A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from Georgia, he’s been as advertised so far in his pro career. Washington has only 57 catches, 625 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons, but is a tremendous blocker and extremely difficult to tackle when he has the ball. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 264 pounds, he’s one of the most physically imposing players in the NFL. With a $10.5 million average annual value, Washington is 12th in AAV among tight ends. That level of commitment could be a sign the Steelers plan to use a good amount of two tight end sets with Washington and Pat Freiermuth in head coach Mike McCarthy’s first season.

According to DeFabo, “at least six teams would be interested in exploring the idea” of trading for Freiermuth, but the Steelers have no interest in dealing the five-year vet. Freiermuth had a down year in 2025, catching 41 passes for 486 yards and four touchdowns while seeing the second-fewest targets (54) since his injury shortened 2023 season where he played just 12 games. While the Steelers may not have any interest in dealing Freiermuth, DeFabo says the situation with Jonnu Smith “seems a bit more fluid.” Smith crashed back down to earth in 2025 after breaking out for 88-884-8 in his lone season with the Dolphins in 2024, but he remains under contract through next season.