Steelers could shock fans by trading this fan-favorite to boost roster
Moving on from Pat Freiermuth might've seemed crazy at the start of the season, but it's not too outlandish now. The veteran tight end used to be the top player at his position for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he has struggled to find a role on offense through the first four games. Perhaps the bye week will allow him to recover and find a groove once the team returns to play in Week 6.
It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for Freiermuth, and it'll be tough for him to rebound with limited opportunities. Pittsburgh has a loaded group at the tight end position on the roster. Both Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington have played significant roles on offense. Freiermuth has seemed to take a back seat to those two this season, which is troublesome.
Sending out the former star player of the Steelers would likely draw significant criticism from their fans.
They love this player, and it would take a significant trade for them to accept this potential deal. General Manager Omar Khan remains in significant trade rumors as the deadline approaches. Freiermuth could be someone Khan considers moving if the right offer comes across his desk.
Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan could trade Pat Freiermuth to boost his roster
Don't expect any imminent trade, as moving Freiermuth would shake up the locker room. They added Jonnu Smith to the position this offseason, and he could help fill the pass-catching void. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith appears more comfortable with Smith anyway. It's a rich talent pool of tight ends, and they could afford to lose one of those players to upgrade a weakness.
No one expected Khan to trade Minkah Fitzpatrick this past offseason, but he did. He is willing to make whatever deal makes sense for the Steelers. Their roster could use some upgrades to varying positions this season. Those include safety, linebacker, offensive line, and wide receiver. While some of those needs are more urgent than others, Khan continues to search for solutions.
Freiermuth is considered to be one of the better tight ends in the NFL, and Pittsburgh loves him. Parting ways would be difficult, but if it brought back a similarly talented player who could help address one of their weaknesses, it wouldn’t sting as much.
The times of hanging onto a player because the fans love him are over, and Khan must do his best roster management to help the Steelers win games.
Ideally, the best outcome of trading Freiermuth would be landing a solid receiver to help DK Metcalf, or a safety who can finally replace Fitzpatrick. They have talented players to replace Freiermuth this season, and they don't seem prepared to use three tight ends at a time. Roles are starting to shrink, and that could force Khan into making some brutal decisions.
Yankees manager confirms star infielder will start on Thursday vs. lefty
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are about to collide in a Game 3 that feels more like a heavyweight prizefight than a baseball game. On Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, the two bitter rivals will settle their Wild Card Series with everything on the line—bragging rights, survival, and a ticket to the American League Division Series.
Game 3 offers all the tension fans crave in October baseball. Both teams are turning to rookies—Cam Schlittler for the Yankees and Connelly Early for the Red Sox—to decide one of the most pressure-packed nights of the season. The nerves in the Bronx will be palpable, because one mistake could mean winter comes early.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. back in the spotlight
Aaron Boone made it clear on Wednesday night that Jazz Chisholm Jr. will be in the starting lineup against Early, a decision that raised some eyebrows. The matchup looks unfavorable on paper—Chisholm has traditionally fared better against right-handed pitching—but Boone believes his energy and game-changing ability outweigh the risk and doesn’t want to repeat what happened in Game 1, when he benched his star vs. Garrett Crochet.
The choice signals Boone’s faith in Chisholm’s ability to rise above the numbers. The dynamic infielder returned to the lineup and played with a spark that helped New York force this decisive third game. His speed, swagger, and ability to deliver in big moments make him the kind of player who can tilt a playoff series.
Think of Chisholm as the spark plug in a classic car—the engine doesn’t roar to life without him. That’s what Boone is banking on, even against a southpaw with promise like Early.
Lineup decisions still hanging in the balance
While Chisholm’s place is locked in, Boone has yet to commit to his plans at first base and catcher. Ben Rice delivered a thunderous two-run homer off Brayan Bello in Game 2, showing he can handle the moment, but Boone previously suggested that veteran Paul Goldschmidt would get every start against left-handers. That creates a dilemma: ride the hot hand in Rice, or lean on the proven track record of Goldschmidt?
Another option would be starting Rice as a catcher, benching Austin Wells. Boone does have options, and we shall know for sure which direction he goes in the next few hours.
The Yankees also need to decide whether Ryan McMahon, who returned to the lineup in Game 2 and chipped in, will stick around in Thursday’s starting nine. Given the stakes and Early’s inexperience, Boone may lean toward stacking as much firepower as possible, perhaps counting on Early having a quick hook.
Connelly Early faces a trial by fire
For Boston, all eyes are on 23-year-old Connelly Early, who has been a revelation in limited action. Across just 19.1 big-league innings, Early managed a sparkling 2.33 ERA, building on strong minor league numbers. But pitching at Yankee Stadium, in October, against a lineup stacked with veterans who have been here before, is a different world.
The Red Sox are unlikely to give him a long leash. The plan will almost certainly involve Boston’s bullpen taking over early if New York puts runners on base. That makes the first two innings absolutely crucial—if Early can settle in and silence the crowd, Boston’s confidence grows. If he wobbles, the Yankees may smell blood and pounce before Alex Cora can even pick up the phone to the bullpen.
A rookie duel with everything at stake
On the other side, Cam Schlittler faces the same unforgiving spotlight. The rookie right-hander has never pitched in a game of this magnitude, and the Yankees are trusting him to match zeroes with Early. It’s a bold gamble from Boone, but sometimes October rewards fearlessness.
Fans know the history between these two franchises, from Bucky Dent to Aaron Boone’s own walk-off in 2003. Thursday night could add another chapter to the rivalry, with names like Chisholm, Rice, and Schlittler etching themselves into lore.
All the strategy, all the speculation, boils down to this: nine innings, two rookie arms, and the never-ending weight of Yankees–Red Sox in October. The Bronx will either erupt in celebration or fall into stunned silence by the end of the night.
