Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 players who won’t be back in 2022

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 09: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts after Chase Claypool #11 caught the ball over defender Patrick Peterson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 9, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 25: Eric Ebron #85 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers defeated the Titans 27-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Eric Ebron, TE

The Steelers may not have their quarterback for the foreseeable future in the building, but they have their cornerstone tight end for quite some time in rookie Pat Freiermuth. They selected the Penn State Nittany Lion in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and he has shined throughout the season.

In 14 games this season, Freiermuth caught 49-of-64 targets for 422 yards and seven touchdowns.

This could spell the end of Eric Ebron’s time in Pittsburgh.

Ebron signed a two-year deal with the Steelers back in 2020 and he was one of the many bright spots on Pittsburgh’s offense last season. Through 15 regular-season appearances, Ebron caught 56 passes for 558 yards and five touchdowns. In Pittsburgh’s Wild Card Round game against the Cleveland Browns, Ebron caught seven passes for 62 yards and one touchdown on 11 targets.

This year, Ebron has taken a backseat in the offense with Freiermuth excelling. Through eight games (three starts), Ebron recorded 12 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Ebron is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

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