Pat Freiermuth is the Steelers’ second-highest-paid offensive player and has always been looked upon as the team’s No. 2 receiving option. That’s why they gave him a new five-year, $52 million contract before the start of last season.

But not only has the fifth-year tight end not been involved in the passing game, but he has slowly disappeared from being part of the offense in general.

After four games, Freiermuth has played fewer snaps (112) than the other tight ends, Darnell Washington (117) and Jonnu Smith (130). He has appeared in just 49.8% of the offensive plays. It reached a career low when he played only 15 snaps in the victory against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin.

After four games last season, Freiermuth played 196 of 257 plays, or 76.2% of the time. He was targeted 20 times

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