Kansas City Chiefs Should Trade for Steelers’ Tight End Pat Freiermuth to Address Offensive Struggles

For the first time since 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs will be watching the playoffs from home. A disappointing 6-11 season has left the Chiefs on the outside looking in, marking a stark contrast to the previous seasons when they were a perennial playoff contender.

Throughout the 2025 campaign, the Chiefs’ offense struggled to find its rhythm, even before star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sidelined with a torn ACL. Kansas City finished 20th in the league in yards per game and totaled just 38 touchdowns across 17 games. While Mahomes’ injury certainly contributed to the struggles, the real issue was a lack of consistent and reliable targets for the quarterback.

As the Chiefs look to bounce back and re-establish themselves as Super Bowl contenders, they will need to make improvements to their offensive roster, particularly in the receiving game. One move that could help address their issues would be trading for Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Pat Freiermuth’s Down Season and the Chiefs’ Opportunity

Pat Freiermuth, a talented tight end who was once viewed as one of the bright young stars at the position, had a down season in 2025. Despite being one of the NFL’s highest-paid tight ends, Freiermuth finished the year with just 41 receptions, marking his lowest output when playing a full 16 or 17-game season. Additionally, he only played in 51 percent of the Steelers’ offensive snaps, which raises questions about his role in Pittsburgh’s offense.

Freiermuth himself admitted his frustration with his lack of involvement. “I would say that I am disappointed with the lack of opportunities I was given,” he said, speaking to Chris Adamski. “But, at the end of the day, I’m a team player. I was proud of myself for not making it about myself. It’s always about the team and what we can do to win. I feel like I could have been in situations where I could help the team win.”

Given these comments, it’s clear that Freiermuth is feeling underutilized in Pittsburgh, and a change of scenery could benefit both him and the Steelers. Pittsburgh is also in a period of transition at the quarterback position, with another new signal-caller likely to take the helm in 2026. This marks the sixth consecutive season that the Steelers will have a new starter under center, which could contribute to Freiermuth’s frustration and a potential desire for a fresh start.

Why the Chiefs Should Make a Move for Freiermuth

The Kansas City Chiefs have long been known for their potent offense, led by Mahomes and his connection with tight end Travis Kelce. However, Kelce, despite being one of the best tight ends in NFL history, is now in the later stages of his career, and the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future in Kansas City is growing.

In the event that Kelce is unable to maintain his high level of play or faces any injuries, the Chiefs would benefit from adding another reliable tight end to their roster. Freiermuth could step in as an immediate safety blanket for Mahomes, providing a solid and dependable target in the middle of the field. Freiermuth is a versatile player who has proven capable of both blocking and catching passes, making him a valuable asset in both the passing and running games.

Moreover, Freiermuth’s experience and skill set would allow him to complement Kelce while easing the transition if and when Kelce eventually steps away from the game. Adding Freiermuth would not only improve the Chiefs’ tight end position but also give Mahomes another weapon in an offense that could sorely use it.

Pittsburgh’s Potential Willingness to Trade Freiermuth

With the Steelers likely to undergo another period of change at the quarterback position and Freiermuth’s dissatisfaction with his role in the offense, it’s possible that the Steelers could be willing to part ways with the talented tight end. Given that Freiermuth is still on his rookie contract after being drafted in the second round in 2021, the Chiefs could acquire him for a relatively affordable price in terms of both salary and trade compensation.

For the Chiefs, this would be an ideal opportunity to bolster their offense without giving up too much in return. If Freiermuth is looking for a fresh start, Kansas City could be the perfect place for him to flourish. The Chiefs should be proactive and reach out to Steelers general manager Omar Khan to explore the possibility of a trade. A deal could benefit both sides, as the Steelers could move on from a player who’s not fully integrated into their offense, while the Chiefs acquire a valuable asset to improve their struggling offense.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 season for the Kansas City Chiefs was a disappointing one, but with a few key moves, they could quickly return to contention. Acquiring Pat Freiermuth from the Pittsburgh Steelers would give the Chiefs another reliable target for Mahomes, especially if Kelce’s future with the team becomes uncertain. Freiermuth’s talent and potential would make him a valuable addition to the Chiefs’ offense, providing a safety blanket and a dependable weapon in the middle of the field.

As the Chiefs look to regroup and retool for the 2026 season, a trade for Freiermuth could be exactly what they need to address their offensive struggles and put themselves back on the path to playoff contention. Kansas City should be aggressive in pursuing this deal and aim to strengthen their offense for the future.