Pat Freiermuth opens up about relationship with Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth has worked hard developing a positive relationship with starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Taking snaps away from veteran tight end Eric Ebron, the second-round draft pick has emerged quickly as a key piece of the Steelers offense.

The rookie has also taken in plenty information from the 18-year pro, hopefully providing the injury plagued offense with a special connection over the final 11 weeks of the season.

“He’s awesome and it’s been awesome to learn from him and kind of see what it takes day in and day out to be a successful professional football player,” Freiermuth told NFL Network’s Good Morning Football. “He’s a great guy and our relationship has moved forward the past couple weeks into something that I think is going to be special this season.”

Ben Roethlisberger has connected with Pat Freiermuth 18 times already, picking up 158 yards and a touchdown over the first six games of his career. However, the young Boston native was not always a fan of his quarterback.

“It’s pretty wild,” said Freiermuth. “Obviously, I grew up in Boston so rooted for Brady when I was younger and then we were taught not to like the Steelers. But coming in, he called me when I got drafted and said, ‘there’s no more rooting for the Patriots now, you’re a Steeler now.’”

Unhappy Pittsburgh Steelers tight end

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron’s playing time and role within the offense have taken a hit with Pat Freiermuth’s arrival. Ebron said Monday that he “can’t answer” why that is happening. The eight-year veteran also said the coaches, including first-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada, were better fit to answer questions about his presence and usage.

“It’s hard,” Ebron said, via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It’s not my life. I want to be a professional. I’m an adult. I’ve got two kids and I’ve got a wife, people that I lean on and talk to. It’s not only about my image anymore and how I portray myself. It’s the way I think about the people around me. My job is to come here and do what I’m asked to do, and I’ve been doing that to the best of my ability and I think it shows.”

Eric Ebron has seven catches for 47 yards over six games, making just two starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He added one carry for a touchdown, playing 47 percent of the offensive so far.