Cameron Heyward has a new deal in place ahead of Week 1 after the Steelers’ push for an agreement proved to be successful. An extension for tight end Pat Freiermuth is also a priority, and he too may soon work out a deal. 
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Team and player are making progress on an extension in Freiermuth’s case, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Brooke Pryor report. The 25-year-old has one year remaining on his rookie contract, so getting a contract worked out now would prevent the possibility of a free agent departure. Finalizing a second Pittsburgh accord has long been known to be on the team’s radar.
A Freiermuth extension was floated in July as a possibility, and the Steelers have clearly made it a goal to keep him in place beyond the coming campaign. The Penn State alum had a strong start to his career, posting 60 and 63 receptions during his first two years with the Steelers. This past season saw him limited to 12 games due to injury, however, and his production took a step back. General manager Omar Khan and Co. are confident a rebound will be possible now and in the future given the pursuit of an extension.
Pittsburgh’s offense will be led by Arthur Smith, who is expected to rely on a run-heavy approach during his first season in charge. Both of the team’s top two running backs (Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren) are pending free agents, leaving plenty of uncertainty surrounding their futures. Likewise, the receiving corps has been a talking point through the offseason as few known commodities are in place beyond George Pickens.
The 2022 second-rounder is expected to operate as Pittsburgh’s clear-cut No. 1 this season after Diontae Johnson was traded away. The Steelers had a trade agreement worked out with the 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk, but he wound up signing a San Francisco extension. That leaves Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Scotty Miller and third-round rookie Roman Wilson in place as complementary pass catchers. Freiermuth will be leaned on in that regard as well for at least the 2024 season, but he could very well remain in place beyond that point.