The Steelers will have a new quarterback this year, and I’m thinking that will probably be a good thing for Pat Freiermuth. I think he’s a good tight end, and I’d like to see him get more chances to make some plays downfield.

With Ben Roethlisberger in recent years, too many of Pittsburgh’s passes have been of the quick, short variety around the line of scrimmage – with too many of them not going anyway. With a new quarterback and some offensive tweaks, I’m hopeful there will be more willingness to attempt some downfield passes.

In the case of Freiermuth, he had a solid rookie season, with 60 receptions, but he averaged only 8.3 yards per catch.

In the last 20 years, 166 tight ends have caught at least 60 passes in a season. Only two of those players averaged fewer yards per catch than Freiermuth (only 29 averaged fewer than 10 yards per catch).

Freiermuth looks like a good tight end, with good size and reliable hands. Hopefully the Steelers will be able to find a quarterback who can properly utilize those talents.

SHORT-RANGE TIGHT ENDS (last 20 yrs)
YearPlayerRecYardsAvgTD
2014Jermaine Gresham, Cin.624607.45
2005Jermaine Wiggins, Min.695688.21
2021Pat Freiermuth, Pitt.604978.37
2019Jason Witten, Dall.635298.44
2016Dennis Pitta, Balt.867298.52
2017Benjamin Watson, Balt.615228.64
2017Jack Doyle, Ind.806908.64
2017Jason Witten, Dall.635608.95
2015Heath Miller, Pitt.605358.92
2021Tyler Higbee, LAR615609.25
2015Jason Witten, Dall.777139.33
2018Austin Hooper, Atl.716609.34
2020Logan Thomas, Was.726709.36
2011Brandon Pettigrew, Det.837779.45
2010Tony Gonzalez, Atl.706569.46
2010Jacob Tamme, Ind.676319.44
2006Jeremy Shockey, NYG666239.47
2012Jason Witten, Dall.11010399.53
2013Delanie Walker, Ten.605719.56
2021T.J. Hockenson, Det.615839.64
2005Randy McMichael, Mia.605829.75
2021Tyler Conklin, Min.615939.73
2016Jason Witten, Dall.696739.83
2020Dalton Schultz, Dall.636159.84
2006Kellen Winslow, Cle.898759.83
2021Noah Fant, Den.686709.94
2014Larry Donnell, NYG636239.96
2018Kyle Rudolph, Min.646349.94
2004Jermaine Wiggins, Min.717059.94

—Ian Allan