Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington got a nice payday this past week, signing a four-year, $42 million contract extension. We now know the full details of the contract.
$20.25 million is guaranteed of which $15.68 million is a new money guarantee, according to Over The Cap.
Washington received a $10 million signing bonus and his 2026 base salary is guaranteed. He’ll receive a $2.5 million roster bonus if he’s on the roster on the 3rd day of each respective year spanning from 2027-2030. The contract also has annual workout bonuses.
His cap hits in each year are $3.4 million in 2026, $11.3 million in 2027, $9.75 million in 2028, $10.3 million in 2029 and $11 million in 2030.
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.
Washington still has one season remaining on his rookie contract, and had been set to earn $3.897 million in 2026.
Washington is the fourth Steelers player to earn a contract extension this offseason and the second member of the team’s 2023 NFL Draft class to sign a second contract, following Cam Heyward, Chris Boswell and draft-mate Nick Herbig.
Alan Saunders contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Financial Details of Darnell Washington’s New Deal Revealed
