Steelers trading a fan favorite may happen soon after struggles

The reasoning is very simple: Freiermuth has never been a quality blocking tight end. He is a pure receiving threat. The problem with that, however, is that the Steelers don't use the middle of the field consistently. The fifth-year tight end is still a quality threat in the passing game, but he does not have a great fit in the offense currently in Pittsburgh.

With Freiermuth practically benched in Week 4, the Steelers had 26 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns off designed run plays, even with starting running back Jaylen Warren out. This is a huge improvement from the team's inability to establish the ground game in the first three weeks, and the change at tight end clearly had an effect, as well as going with a jumbo set with a sixth offensive lineman. Guard Spencer Anderson and backup tight end Connor Heyward were huge beneficiaries of the newly implemented game plan.

Steelers' details of potential trade negotiations

Even though Freiermuth is only in the first year of his four-year extension, the salary cap will not be a concern for the Steelers, nor whoever they hypothetically ship him off to. The only guarantees that Freiermuth has left are roster bonuses for future years. The only dead cap that Pittsburgh would have to eat is the rest of the signing bonus proration, while the other team would not have any dead cap to deal with if they eventually want to cut him. 

Without the signing bonus proration to deal with, whoever would acquire Freiermuth would inherit a three-year deal worth about $27.5 million. For a player as talented and as humble as he is, that is a great deal. There are teams out there that would take the opportunity to use him properly and let him showcase his immense talent as a receiver. If the Steelers do shop him, there would likely be teams lining up to give him a shot.

The San Francisco 49ers could certainly use some depth at the tight end position with George Kittle dealing with an injury. Freiermuth could be the receiver over the middle they need to help Kittle out. The Los Angeles Chargers also need a bona fide TE1 to help out in the passing game, so he could be used there as well. There are other teams out there that would love some help with the middle of the field.