For the second time this season, tight end Pat Freiermuth played fewer than 20 snaps in a game. He also wasn’t targeted once in either instance, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday being the latest example of his disappearance from the offense.

The next time Freiermuth criticizes offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s play-calling or usage, however, will be the first.

“Yeah, it’s obviously frustrating, but at the end of the day I have complete faith in Arthur,” Freiermuth said Wednesday. “We have a good relationship and understanding of what his thoughts were for the game plan.”

Freiermuth played 17 snaps against Buffalo, his second-lowest playing time of his five-year career. He played 15 snaps in Dublin in September when the Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings.

Freiermuth watched Darnell Washington (34 snaps) and Jonnu Smith (23) get more playing time against Buffalo. Freiermuth’s playing time has dipped from logging a career-high 69% of the offensive plays in 2024 to 48% this season. Washington, meantime, has played a career-high 61% of the snaps in his third NFL season. Smith, acquired in a late June trade from Miami, has played 58% of the snaps.

“You don’t lose too much sleep over it,” Freiermuth said. “I have to understand my role, and hopefully it changes going forward. I have to be able to go out there and do what is asked of me.”

Freiermuth was not among the eight players targeted in the passing game against the Bills, and he watched the Steelers bring in another pass catcher Tuesday when they claimed 35-year-old wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers.

“He’s had a hell of a career in the NFL,” Freiermuth said. “Anything he can do to help us win games is much appreciated.”

Of those 17 snaps he played against the Bills, Freiermuth ran a route just nine times, according to Pro Football Focus. He ran just eight when the Steelers played the Vikings.

“Some of it is just his play count,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “That’s above my pay grade. The more opportunities he’s gotten in games, he’s had some big games for us.”

Case in point: Two games after being shut out against Minnesota and a week after being targeted once in a win against Cleveland, Freiermuth caught five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati.

“I felt like after Cincinnati, he was getting going, but Darnell has played exceptionally well, so it’s hard to take Darnell off the field,” Rodgers said. “He’s been so good, but I’d love to see more of Pat.”

A year after leading the Steelers with 65 receptions, Freiermuth isn’t even the leader among his position group. Smith has 30 receptions, followed by Freiermuth’s 26. Washington has caught 22 passes, but 13 of those receptions have occurred in the past five games.

“We have a bunch of guys who are capable,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “I think we’ve been through some of these questions before. We have a lot of guys on the bench that we have confidence in. Pat is certainly one of them. The ball didn’t bounce his way a week ago, but certainly he’s a viable option for us and one to strongly consider as we work this week.”

The Steelers (6-6) will try to snap a two-game losing streak Sunday in Baltimore when they face the Ravens (6-6) in a game that will determine first place in the AFC North. The Steelers lost twice in Baltimore last season, ending their season with a defeat in the wild-card playoff round.

“It’s definitely my favorite game to play in,” Freiermuth said. “With the recent history … there’s a lot of urgency to this game, and we’re excited.”

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