That $11.2 Million Pat Freiermuth Cap Hit? It Proves Nobody's Ready For What's Coming.

Alright, 12s, listen up! Even if it ain't our guys directly, you gotta keep an eye on the league because wild things are already happening out there. With the NFL season kicking into gear, every contract, every injury, every OTA rep counts. And Pittsburgh's latest move with tight end Pat Freiermuth just dropped a bomb that should make everyone in the league pay attention. This ain't some casual preseason chatter, folks, this is real money and real moves happening right now!

The Cap Game is Real, Y'all!

So, here's the deal: The Steelers and Freiermuth just restructured his contract, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reported on Saturday. This isn't just a minor tweak, either. This move is specifically designed to drop Freiermuth's cap hit for the 2026 season from a hefty $11.2 million. Think about that for a second! That's a significant chunk of change the Steelers just freed up. It makes you wonder what kind of bigger chess moves they're planning, or what other teams are cooking up in their front offices. This move is even more telling when you look at Pittsburgh's tight end room. They let Jonnu Smith go and Connor Heyward signed with the Raiders this offseason. That leaves Darnell Washington, who's dealing with a forearm injury, as the only other established option at the position besides Freiermuth. With Aaron Rodgers back under center for the Jets, Freiermuth could be poised for a huge season. He put up a 41 reception, 486-yard, 4-touchdown line on 54 targets in 17 regular season games in 2025. This contract restructure says the Steelers are betting big on him. What does that mean for the league's top tight ends this season? It's a huge signal about valuing talent and making space for it.

Early Season Hustle Across the League

Meanwhile, other teams are deep into OTAs, getting their rosters in shape, and we're seeing some key guys battling back from injury. Down in Atlanta, linebacker Malik Verdon and defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus have both been out there participating in OTAs. Verdon, an undrafted free agent from last May, had a rough rookie year, spending time on the reserve/non-football injury list with a shoulder issue. He was designated to return last November but never got activated. Now, he's looking healthy and aiming for a depth spot. Dorlus, on the other hand, was a solid contributor for the Falcons last season. He hurt his hamstring in Week 17, missing their Week 18 matchup against New Orleans. Before that, he started nine of 15 games, racking up 27 tackles and an impressive 8.5 sacks! Now he's back, healthy, and slated for a big role again in 2026. This is the kind of early season grind that shows who's ready to go. Health is everything, folks, especially when you're trying to make a statement in April.

What's Next for Us, 12s?

Even with all the league action, our focus is always on the green and blue! It's early in the MLB season, and the NFL is just getting warmed up, but every day brings us closer to seeing our Mariners dominating at T-Mobile Park and our Seahawks owning Lumen Field. We're keeping a close eye on all the trends and news, because what happens elsewhere in the league can always give us a hint about our own teams. We're ready for the grind, the wins, and the heartbreaks, because that's what being a Seattle fan is all about. Let's get it!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.