Pat Freiermuth has seen his snap count absolutely plummet through the first three weeks of the season, dropping from 73% in Week 1 to just 60% by Week 3. This isn’t just a minor blip; it’s a clear signal that the Steelers’ offensive strategy is evolving, and it’s putting a big question mark on Freiermuth’s role.
The “Security Blanket” Is Losing Ground
For a lot of this season, Freiermuth has been the steady hand for Aaron Rodgers, especially with all the ups and downs. He’s still third on the team in both targets and receptions, making him that crucial security blanket in the short to intermediate passing game. But despite his past contributions, the team’s usage of him is undeniably shifting. The Steelers just put up their best offensive performance of the season, a 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. You’d think they’d stick with what’s working, right? Well, that win saw some telling changes.
A New Offensive Identity Emerges
Here’s the kicker: in Week 3, Darnell Washington, who is a far superior blocker, actually outsnapped Freiermuth. What happened next? Jaylen Warren exploded for 127 rushing yards. It’s not rocket science. Pittsburgh saw how well that run-heavy approach worked against Cincinnati, and it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see them keep rolling with Washington leading the way to establish the ground game. This evolving strategy means Freiermuth is a sit for 10-team fantasy leagues or smaller, and even in 12-team leagues, he’s a risky start. The numbers don’t lie, the trend is clear, and the Steelers are finding new ways to win without featuring Freiermuth as heavily.
The Steelers are back in action tonight, playing Thursday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns. Everyone will be watching to see if Pittsburgh continues to lean into this new, run-heavy identity, and what that means for Freiermuth’s snaps and Rodgers’ short passing game moving forward.
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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