Steelers Must Quickly Investigate 3 Free Agent Tight Ends Following Injury To Offseason Addition

The Pittsburgh Steelers were setting themselves up nicely for a very good offseason when they acquired DK Metcalf via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks before free agency began. That splash move gave Steeler Nation a lot of hope as Omar Khan appeared to be getting the offense ready to compete with some of the elite units across the NFL. Then came a lackluster free agency period on offense, followed by the trade of George Pickens after the 2025 NFL Draft -- which has still left fans with a ton of questions surrounding the team. 

There have been recent rumors swirling that the Steelers are interested in acquiring more offensive talent, namely Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins via trade. A move like this makes a lot more sense after the recent news that Donald Parham tore his Achilles and will miss the 2025 season. 

Summer injuries are always tough as the top tier free agents are usually already signed, and the NFL Draft has passed, but there are still some intriguing names at the tight end position that the Steelers should look into signing. Let's take a look.

1.) Gerald Everett

Everett would complement the Steelers' tight end room well, as he possesses good speed and has proven to be a lethal receiving threat for quarterbacks to use in multiple ways. Everett failed to be the reliable second tight end for the Chicago Bears this past season, but the dysfunctional offense as a whole likely attributed to that after having five consecutive seasons of at least 400 receiving yards. 

2.) Marcedes Lewis

Not sure many fans would jump out of their seats if the Steelers would sign a 41 year old tight end, but Lewis is a unicorn in terms of his ability to contribute, despite his age. His days as a consistent receiving threat are likely over, but Lewis still possesses the ability to be a valuable blocker and a leader in the locker room for a relatively young offensive core. Should the Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers to be their quarterback, the odds of signing Lewis might increase as they agreed to end their careers together during their time with the Green Bay Packers. 

3.) Hayden Hurst

A familiar name as Hurst was originally drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens, as well as spending one season with the Cincinnati Bengals, Hurst would make a lot of sense for the Steelers. Hurst has proven to be a valuable receiver at each of his five stops in the NFL, despite only spending one year with each of his last three teams. Hurst also has connections with Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, as Smith was the Atlanta Flacons head coach when Hurst was on the team in 2021. 

Should the Steelers dip their toe into the free agent waters, the signing they make likely won't be one that becomes an impact player week in and week out with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington topping the depth chart. That being said, having a quality third option at the position with true tight end size is not something the Steelers should overlook. 

Steelers' Tight End Room Could Be The Best In The NFL In 2025

Since selecting Freiermuth in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Steelers have relied on him heavily with him leading the Steelers' tight ends in snap percentage each year. They rewarded him for his positive play as well, as he signed a contract extension last season, which made him a top 10 highest paid tight end and keeping him in the Black and Gold through 2028. 

Freiermuth will be expected to continue to be a valuable part of the offense, but Washington is actually the tight end that could elevate that position group to the next level. Washington was always someone that had high expectations due to his elite size and athletic profile, but he has yet to have the breakout many are waiting for. That could change this season, as quarterback Mason Rudolph stated that Washington looks like a different player after losing weight this offseason. If he takes a big step in year three, him and Freiermuth would attract significant attention from opposing defenses.