Holy smokes, did you see Pat Freiermuth in Week 1? The Pittsburgh Steelers tight end absolutely lit up the field against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling in every single one of his five targets for a massive 46 yards and a touchdown. That’s right, every. Single. Target. This wasn’t some quiet performance; this was a statement game, and Freiermuth was making sure everyone felt it. He looked completely dialed in, making that connection with Aaron Rodgers from the very first snap. Freiermuth snatched that crucial 6-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers early in the second quarter, a play that immediately swung the momentum and gave the Steelers a solid 13-7 lead. You love to see that kind of instant chemistry and big-play ability setting the tone for the entire season.
The Volume Spike We’ve Been Waiting For
Now, let’s talk about those targets, because this is where it gets really interesting. This kind of target volume and efficiency from Freiermuth isn’t just noteworthy; for anyone paying attention, it’s a potential game-changer. Cast your mind back to last season: Freiermuth was targeted more than five times in a game just *once* all year long. Can you believe that? Just one time! That lone breakout performance came back on October 16, 2025, against Cincinnati, where he absolutely feasted, racking up an impressive 111 yards and two touchdowns. That game was a clear signal of what he could achieve when the ball actually came his way consistently. Week 1 of this new season is echoing that same powerful message: give Pat the rock, and he is going to make plays. He is showing up when it counts, and he is making every single touch count in a big, big way.
Fantasy Gold on the Horizon?
So, what does all this mean for your fantasy football squad? This isn’t breaking news for the seasoned fantasy vets out there, but Freiermuth has always shown flashes of being a truly productive fantasy tight end option. The catch? It all hinges on him getting those crucial touches. We saw what happened last year in that Cincinnati game, and we just witnessed a masterclass in efficiency in Week 1. This isn’t just a random fluke; this is a clear pattern of performance that screams upside for the entire year. If Freiermuth continues seeing this kind of consistent target volume, that kind of commitment from Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offensive coordinator, then we are officially talking about a player who could absolutely soar up the fantasy rankings. The buzz is already building: if Freiermuth keeps getting these targets, he could absolutely solidify himself as a low-end TE1 option across most fantasy formats. That’s not just a slight bump; that’s a huge potential jump for anyone looking to lock down a reliable tight end spot on their roster.
This early season performance from Freiermuth is everything you want to see if you’ve got him on your team, or if you’re looking to grab him off the wire. The ball is finding him, he is making plays when it matters most, and the Steelers are getting the results. If this target volume holds up and he continues this incredible efficiency, he is going to be a must-start every single week. Keep your eyes peeled for what he does in Week 2, because this could be the very beginning of something truly special for Freiermuth and anyone smart enough to have him on their team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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