Steelers Now
One NFL analyst is a big fan of the latest contract extension the Pittsburgh Steelers handed out.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have handed out yet another big contract extension — this time to tight end Darnell Washington — and NFL analyst Gregg Rosenthal believes they got him at an absolute steal.
“I can’t believe how cheap that Darnell Washington contract is,” Rosenthal posted on X.
Washington’s four-year deal has $42 million in new money, for an average annual value of $10.5 million per season, and has $21 million in guarantees.
Per Over The Cap, that makes Washington the 12th-highest paid tight end in the NFL, and he’s certainly worth every penny.
The 6-foot-7 and over 300-pound Washington has been a stellar blocker since he first joined the Steelers out of Georgia in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has grown as a receiver in each of his three pro seasons.
Last year, he set career highs with 43 targets, 31 receptions, 364 yards and one touchdown, an average of 8.5 yards per target and 11.7 yards per touch.
Blocking tight ends have been high demand around the NFL lately, with players such as Josh Oliver of the Minnesota Vikings and John Bates of the Washington Commanders getting high-dollar free agent contracts despite being nearly exclusively used as blockers.
There was also a large run on blocking tight ends in the middle of the 2026 NFL Draft, and it’s a trend that Washington has noticed.
“When offenses can run the ball, it opens up play action, or whatever,” Washington said before agreeing to his new deal. “It pretty much opens up the pass. So I think every offense should have one of each or whatever their number is. I like it.”
Luckily for the Steelers, they now have arguably the best blocking tight end locked up through the 2030 season.
Alan Saunders contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Analyst Claims Steelers Latest Contract Extension is a Steal
