Pat Freiermuth Could Make Steelers Life Very Difficult

The Pittsburgh Steelers might not be able to make it out with everyone on the roster.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers won't want to lose their star tight end after his rookie contract, but handing him a new deal next offseason won't be as easy as it seems. 

Freiermuth is already considered one of the best tight ends in the NFL, ranking 9th in ESPN's poll at the position. Sitting 6th on that same list is Minnesota Vikings' T.J. Hockenson, who is off to be a critical piece for the future of the tight end position. 

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Hockenson wants to reset the tight end market with his next deal - hopefully with the Vikings. The former 8th-overall pick has 2,587 yards and 18 touchdowns in his four-year career, and is highly regarded as the next emerging superstar at the position. 

The Vikings and tight end T.J. Hockenson have been working on an extension, but both sides are far apart, per league sources.
Hockenson wants to reset the market with a historic contract extension for tight ends.
He has been limited at practice because of an ear infection and…

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 23, 2023

Right behind him, is Freiermuth, who has accumulated 1,229 and nine touchdowns in just two years in the league. 

When the Steelers decide on the future of Freiermuth, they'll need to take into account a few pretty big players. George Pickens will both be looking for a deal the following spring. Kenny Pickett's 5th-year option allows them to avoid a season, but he'll add his to a lengthy list of players Pittsburgh will negotiate with - including T.J. Watt.

Those other names include Chuks Okorafor, James Daniels, Mason Cole, Diontae Johnson, Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, Jaylen Warren, Dan Moore and Isaiahh Loudermilk. 

The most difficult part is predicting where the market goes after Hockenson's contract. If he does reset the market, which is maxed at $17 million per season by Darren Waller, you have to wonder how much higher that market gets in the two years that follow, or if Freiermuth is the next big jump. 

Either way, the Steelers are in dark waters in two years, and things are just going to get more complicated as Freiermuth watches Hockenson land a mega payday. 

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