Group and participant reached settlement on a four-year extension Friday, per his company (through Tom Pelissero of NFL Community). Freiermuth will gather $48.4M on his new deal. He was connected to the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract for the approaching marketing campaign, so he’ll now be on the books by 2028. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette provides the pact contains $23.38M assured.
A report from earlier Friday pointed to the perimeters making progress towards a deal. In consequence, this information comes as little shock. Freiermuth performed a key position within the Steelers’ offense throughout his first two seasons within the league, notching back-to-back years with 60 receptions. He scored 9 touchdowns throughout that span, although his manufacturing took a step again in an injury-shortened 2023 marketing campaign. On the age of 25, nevertheless, Freiermuth has emerged as a key determine in Pittsburgh’s long-term offensive planning.
The previous second-rounder’s $12.1M AAV ranks ninth on the place, in between Cole Kmet and Dalton Schultz. The highest of the place’s market stays set with Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson and George Kittle main the best way, however Freiermuth was by no means anticipated to succeed in these heights on his second contract. He’ll however develop into one of many workforce’s high earners on the offensive facet of the ball.
The Steelers have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in place as an affordable quarterback tandem. Operating backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are on their rookie contracts, as are three starters on the offensive line. With Diontae Johnson not within the fold, George Pickens (who won’t be eligible for an extension till subsequent 12 months) is in place because the workforce’s high receiver. Freiermuth’s cap cost will doubtless not spike to a cumbersome determine with this extension, however he’ll take up a bigger piece of the allotted sources when basic supervisor Omar Khan evaluates the offense sooner or later.
Questions linger coming into the season about Pittsburgh’s depth within the receiving corps. Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Scotty Miller and third-round rookie Roman Wilson will likely be counted on to enrich Pickens after a commerce settlement with the 49ers over Brandon Aiyuk didn’t lead to a swap happening. Aiyuk inked a San Francisco extension, leaving future cap sources out there to Freiermuth and others. He will likely be anticipated to ship a rebound in 2024 and past whereas enjoying out a profitable new contract.
