Steelers Make Critical Mistake With Pat Freiermuth Versus Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a much-needed offensive explosion against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Pittsburgh took home the victory by a score of 30-27, putting up more points than the team did in the first two games of the season combined. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was on fire, throwing for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns. The pass catchers did their jobs, for the most part. The offensive line played its best game of the season, which bodes well for the offense's 2026 outlook. The offense looked good, but one player in particular didn't see much volume.

Tight end Pat Freiermuth was relatively quiet in the contest, recording 2 catches for 30 yards on 4 targets. Freiermuth was expected to see significant usage in this matchup, as the Bengals have struggled to defend tight ends to start the 2026 season. The rest of Pittsburgh's pass catchers stole the show, with DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, and Darnell Washington all having very solid performances. Running back Jaylen Warren was also heavily involved through the air. Freiermuth's performance on Sunday was not bad; he just did not see a lot of opportunities. 

In a recent episode of the Kaboly + Mack podcast, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly criticized the team for not using its tight ends more often.

"Way too many times was Freiermuth on the bench," Kaboly exclaimed. "Short yardage downs, inside the 10-yard line, on the goal line, why isn't he out there? Him and Washington should always be on the field. What are we doing?"

As previously mentioned, Washington had a great performance. He totaled 3 catches for 67 yards, with an explosive 47-yard catch and run late in the game. For a blocking tight end, Washington is a huge weapon through the air and should be used more, as stated by Kaboly. He is a matchup nightmare for any defender and has the athletic ability to turn a short pass into a huge gain.

Both tight ends have their own unique skill sets, but they complement each other very well. Freiermuth is a very reliable pass catcher and is often used as a chain-mover and safety blanket for Rodgers. If new head coach Mike McCarthy can work both of these guys into the offensive game plan more, they could both be in for big seasons.

No matter what players are stuffing the stat sheet, all that matters is that the offense continues to produce under Rodgers. The victory over the Bengals was a major confidence boost and allowed Steelers fans to breathe a sigh of relief, as the team was performing at a level that can result in wins. The Steelers' performance was arguably one of the best overall games the team has played in multiple seasons. While the defense gave up 27 points, they made stops when it mattered. The offense was able to keep the defense off the field while generating points and time of possession at an efficient rate. If the Steelers are just scratching the surface of their true ability, they have a good chance to find real success during the 2026 season.

Steelers' Stellar Rushing Performance is More Important Than Fans Might Think

Pittsburgh accumulated 138 yards on the ground against the Bengals, averaging an impressive 6.0 yards per carry. This was accomplished without standout running back Rico Dowdle in the lineup. This breakout performance by the offense was more impactful than it is getting credit for. Not only did the rushing attack allow for the passing lanes to open up, but it also gave Rodgers the chance to operate without as much pressure while helping Pittsburgh control the time of possession.

While Warren had an amazing game, the new look offensive line is the true MVP of Week 3. They kept Rodgers relatively clean and allowed for Warren to run wild. Whatever combinations of players and offensive schemes allowed for this performance need to stay consistent, as the Steelers could very well become an above-average offensive unit.