Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth named 'potential first-time Pro Bowler'

Back in spring 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers used a second-round draft pick — specifically selection No. 55 overall — to acquire Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Pat Freiermuth. 

That decision worked out rather well for all involved. 

Per ESPN stats, Freiermuth finished his debut NFL season third on the Steelers with 60 catches and 497 receiving yards, and he was second among Pittsburgh players with seven touchdown grabs. Of course, he spent the majority of his rookie year catching passes thrown by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who rode off into the sunset of retirement this past winter. 

Regardless of what practically everybody has to say on the topic in the early days of summer, the Steelers still haven't officially named free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky as Roethlisberger's immediate successor over backup Mason Rudolph and first-round draft choice Kenny Pickett. Despite the lingering questions about the sport's most important position hovering over the franchise, Nick Shook of the league's website named Freiermuth as a "potential first-time Pro Bowler" for the upcoming season. 

"Freiermuth fit in seamlessly in his rookie campaign and looks to be on a path toward becoming the franchise’s next beloved tight end," Shook explained. "A new quarterback will make the going a little rougher, at least initially, but a reliable tight end is often a young passer's best friend. I expect Freiermuth to see a ton of targets, no matter who plays quarterback for Pittsburgh in 2022, and to be in the conversation for the Pro Bowl, even with some stiff competition (including Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce) awaiting him."

Trubisky is only 27 years old, so it makes sense that Shook thinks the signal-caller could look to Freiermuth early and often to build confidence during September games. Whether or not that will be enough for Trubisky to remain atop the depth chart into Christmastime has yet to be determined.