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Pat Freiermuth Pokes Fun At George Pickens Following Big Game
Originally written on Steeler Nation | By Brogan Noey | Last modified Dec 8, 2024 7:01 PM ET

Sunday’s second straight Pittsburgh Steelers triumph inside the AFC North brought them down the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh’s record stands at 10-3 on the year following the victory; the team is 3-1 in its division. Given Pittsburgh’s demanding schedule and the fact Cleveland had won the first game of the season between the two clubs, many supporters were anxious entering this game.

The fact that the offense would be devoid of George Pickens’s finest wide receiver presents still another obstacle for the Steelers approaching this game. The third-year wideout appeared on Friday’s injury report with a hamstring strain; he was declared out Sunday before the game.

Tight end Pat Freiermuth stepped in for him, scored, then celebrated by punting the ball into the crowd. Pickens pulled off this action in Week 13; Freiermuth joked somewhat about it following the game.

Clearly, this was a lighthearted jibe at Pickens as the NFL has penalized the wide receiver a somewhat reasonable sum. During the Steelers Week 13 triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals, Pickens was penalized twice for two distinct unsportsmanlike actions. Usually players are punished for sending the ball into the bleachers; Pickens escaped without paying fines for punting the ball following a score.

Freiermuth might be fined for punting the ball into the seats, particularly considering his lighthearted remarks to the media following the game. Leading receiver for the Steelers in their triumph, the tight end discovered the end zone for the second straight game.

Freiermuth has been on full show lately; he is obviously beginning to develop some synergy with Russell Wilson. Wilson now regularly targets Freiermuth since the tight end has caught three touchdowns from him; this figure will keep rising as the season progresses.

Pat Freiermuth from the Steelers is on pace to have his best season. Freiermuth, though, had a difficult 2023 season. The tight end suffered a lot of ailments that year, and on the field he seemed to have difficulties generating. By far the worst season of his career; he has most definitely recovered in 2024. During the win over the Bengals, the tight end caught three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. With his Sunday performance, his season total—which readily exceeds his 2023 totals—is 44 receptions for 470 yards and five touchdowns.

Right now the tight end is having his most complete season. He is a good leader on the offense and he is finding ways to affect the rushing and passing game; he has not battled to remain on the field. Freiermuth is unquestionably deserving of the four-year contract deal he signed ahead of the season; he has been proving all year as a top-end player at the tight end position.