The way is clear for the Steelers to trade TE Pat Freiermuth

On Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 21 of 30 passes. He completed those 21 passes to eight different players. Three of those eight players, including tight end Pat Freiermuth, caught just one pass each. Meanwhile, the offense was funneled through wide receiver DK Metcalf and running back Kenneth Gainwell. This was all part of a 23-9 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Meanwhile, the other two tight ends, Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith, combined for nine targets and had three receptions each. The Steelers have been able to take advantage of an easy schedule so far, but consider the Oct. 26 primetime game against the Green Bay Packers as the true start to the season.

By the time that day comes, the Steelers will hopefully have traded for a starting wide receiver and also traded Freiermuth to recoup the draft capital they used to land said wide receiver. It’s clearly not part of the game plan at this point and head coach Mike Tomlin’s excuse about needing to block 4-3 defensive ends doesn’t hold up against the Browns.