One week ago, Heath Miller was inducted into the Steelers ring of honor. The “Heaaaath” chants rained down at Chuck Noll Field at Saint Vincent College as Miller milled about the sidelines before practice started.
Mike Tomlin drank in the atmosphere, and one of the lasting images from the day was Miller talking to Pat Freiermuth, the second-year tight end who has drawn comparisons to the best tight end in franchise history.
“It’s a cool thing to be in this position long enough to have guys that come back and receive recognition for their playing days,” Tomlin said. “But, equally as important is for them to come back and share and spend some time with a current player. I smiled when I watched Pat talking to Heath.”
Freiermuth enjoys those conversations, too. He met Miller for the first time last fall when the Steelers played host to the Bears on “Monday Night Football.” Freiermuth caught two touchdowns on his way to setting the record for most receptions and touchdowns by a rookie tight end in team history. Both records were set by Miller.
“I lean on him,” Freiermuth said. “I use his experiences. We were talking about going from the first year to the second year, what he learned, how he adjusted. Learning that, it was helpful.”
The Steelers tried and failed over a five-year stretch to find their next Miller after he retired in 2015. Ladarius Green was the prized free agent signing of 2016, but he was injury-prone and lasted less than a season. Next came Vance McDonald and then Eric Ebron, but none of them possessed the talents of Freiermuth.
The Steelers were thrilled when Freiermuth was available to them in the second round of last year’s draft, and count tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts among those who were surprised at Freiermuth’s abilities as a receiver.
“You saw what he did at Penn State,” Roberts said. “Then he comes in, and he had a lot more value in the passing game once you see how he moved, found that space and could get open.”
Freiermuth led all NFL rookie tight ends with seven touchdown catches. He became one of Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite targets in the red zone. The next frontier for Freiermuth is more success as a big-play target.
Freiermuth called his 8.2 yards per reception “atrocious,” and he hopes to improve upon that number with more success between the 20s. Roberts said the lack of big plays wasn’t for a lack of trying. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada dialed up deeper routes for Freiermuth, but many of them never materialized.
“I would say sometimes the ball just doesn’t find you,” said Roberts, who is beginning his second season on the Steelers coaching staff. “You call certain things and the ball goes different places. Matt does a nice job of calling those things and giving him opportunities, but sometimes whatever happens, and the ball just doesn’t get there.
“We’re going to focus on that and try to expand his role. He has the ability to make catches down the field and make down-the-field plays. He wants to do that. But the ball has to find him. You can’t force it.”
Freiermuth, 23, is the centerpiece of a young tight ends room. Every tight end on the roster is 27 or younger. Zach Gentry, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, is the backup and is expected to be a frequent contributor when the Steelers use two tight ends. At 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, he is considered the best blocking tight end on the team.
Rookie Connor Heyward has been a standout early in camp. He spent most of his career at Michigan State as a running back before switching to tight end for his final season with the Spartans. The Steelers envision Heyward filling a variety of roles on the offense. At 5-11 and 233 pounds, he projects as a flex tight end and H-back and should be able to handle fullback duties, as well.
“I envision being whatever the coaches want me to be,” Heyward said. “They mention me playing, H, Y and F. It’s about the big picture. I’m open to more things because the more you’re able to do, the more opportunities will open up.”
Heyward spends most of his time in the tight end meeting room, but he has met with running backs coach Eddie Faulkner.
“Fredo is telling me to look over everything and know the big picture,” Heyward said. “I’m trying to get everything down. It’s all about the details now.”
Veteran Kevin Rader, a Pine-Richland High School grad, and Jace Sternberger also are pushing for roster spots. The group isn’t very experienced, but there are some versatile players at Canada’s disposal.
“Selfishly, I want two- and three-tight whenever I can, so I told those guys you have to make yourself valuable to Danny Smith on special teams,” Roberts said. “But the receiving corps is young and so skilled and so big. You want to make sure you’re feeding all those guys. And the running back isn’t bad, either. We’re trying to figure out how it all works. You start with Pat, and you kind of build from there.”
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: August 5, 2022, 3:40 p.m.
