The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a favorable position this season. Despite some inconsistencies in their performance, they have managed to maintain a winning record. Head coach Mike Tomlin must be pleased with their 4-2 record and sees room for improvement from his players.
Their standout performance came in Week 17 when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 24-17 on the road. They made a strong second-half comeback, erasing a 17-10 deficit and scoring 14 points in the final quarter to secure the victory.
One area of concern for the Steelers has been their subpar offensive production. Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who has struggled for most of the season, showed improvement against the Rams, completing 17 of 25 passes for 230 yards without throwing an interception. The running game, while promising on paper with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, has yet to hit its stride. The standout offensive weapon so far has been wide receiver George Pickens, who played a crucial role in the win over the Rams with 5 receptions for 107 yards. Throughout the season, Pickens has been even more impressive with 27 receptions for 500 yards and 2 touchdowns.
However, the Steelers have been lacking in production from their other wide receivers and, notably, the tight end position, which has historically been a productive part of their offense.
One key factor affecting their tight end position has been an injury to Pat Freiermuth. He was expected to provide significant production, but a hamstring injury caused him to miss two games, and his recovery has been complicated by setbacks. To date, he has modest statistics, with only 8 catches for 53 yards. He has shown his potential as a red zone threat with 2 touchdown receptions.
Freiermuth is expected to be healthy by mid-November, but there are no guarantees in terms of his productivity. This uncertainty has prompted the Steelers to consider potential trades before the October 31 trade deadline, with a focus on improving their tight end position.
One unexpected trade partner that has emerged is the New England Patriots. While the Patriots and the Steelers have traditionally been playoff rivals, the Patriots currently have a surplus of productive and healthy tight ends, namely Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki. Acquiring one of these tight ends might come at a price, but Steelers’ general manager Omar Khan may explore the possibility of a trade with the Patriots to bolster their tight end position.
Hunter Henry comes with a substantial salary of $9.5 million, which would be prorated if a trade were to occur. This high cost could pose a financial challenge for the Steelers. Henry’s current season stats, with 20 receptions for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns, may not seem commensurate with his salary.
However, it’s worth noting that Henry has a track record of making game-changing receptions in past seasons, which could potentially justify the effort and cost involved in acquiring him.
On the other hand, Mike Gesicki has a more reasonable price tag of $4.5 million. While he may not be considered a game-changing player, he did catch the game-winning touchdown pass against the Bills in Week 7, marking his only touchdown reception this season. His season statistics include 17 receptions for 149 yards, with his longest reception being 18 yards.
In conclusion, Steelers’ general manager Omar Khan may explore other options to address their tight end position, and it would make sense to bring in a new player if he determines that neither of the Patriots’ tight ends is worth the investment. The uncertainty surrounding Pat Freiermuth’s return to full health and productivity further underscores the need for a possible trade to strengthen the team.
