Four games into 2025, the Steelers’ tight ends show a split fantasy picture. Freiermuth delivers a steady floor with 7 catches for 65 yards on 10 targets, but no touchdowns yet. Smith has emerged as the most trusted target among TEs (16 targets, 14 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD), while Washington anchors the run game with rising snaps and heavy blocking. With a Week 5 bye, the trio’s roles should crystallize, shaping upside and weekly floor for fantasy rosters.

Addison returns to a high-volume Minnesota offense, delivering a top-tier floor with a big-play ceiling as a late 81-yard jab boosts him to 114 yards. Gainwell surfaces as the Steelers’ clear back, while Warren’s injury cloud opens a path for him to restock rosters. Washington leans into single-TE sets, limiting Freiermuth and Smith, and Austin’s shoulder injury could thrust Miller into a full-time role. Hockenson’s snap share surges for Minnesota, and Mason handles early Steelers rushing amidst OL woes. Lazard trade chatter keeps the Steelers’ WR room in flux, underscoring ongoing volatility across both teams.

Roethlisberger lays out a clean blueprint to fix Pittsburgh’s stagnant pass game: lean into three tight ends—Smith, Freiermuth, and Washington—and attack the middle of the field with quick, high-percentage throws to ease the burden on Rodgers and spark the offense. Through three games, Pittsburgh has 88 pass attempts, with 13 to Smith, 10 to Freiermuth, and 1 to Washington, totaling 19 receptions. The plan aims to create easy completions, shorten drops, and set up bigger plays later.

Steelers face Minnesota in Dublin with a shaky Week 4 outlook: Jonnu Smith is questionable, Highsmith out, and Warren and Porter Jr. are also iffy. If Smith sits, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward step up as Freiermuth remains a target. Smith’s volume through three games (13 targets, 12 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD) has built Rodgers’ trust, but the offense will need bigger plays and a tighter game plan to maximize fantasy upside.