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The Pittsburgh Steelers have opened up the checkbook this offseason to keep some of their top young players, and they did just that again on Wednesday night.
Pittsburgh and young tight end Darnell Washington have agreed to a four-year, $42 million contract extension with $21 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Steelers already have Pat Freiermuth as arguably their best pass-catching tight end, but Washington has become a bigger part of the offense in recent years. As a result, it is no surprise to see him rewarded with a handsome bag of cash.
This move comes on the heels of Pittsburgh giving Nick Herbig a four-year, $100 million contract extension on Tuesday, so it’s clear that getting these deals done is a major priority for the Steelers this offseason. Standout cornerback Joey Porter Jr., a first-round pick in 2023, is likely next on the list as he awaits a new deal.
Washington hasn’t been the most productive player in the passing game in his young career, but there is a lot of upside given his size and athleticism. In three seasons, he has just 57 catches for 625 yards and two touchdowns.
At 6-foot-7, 264 pounds, Washington is a pain to tackle in the open field, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get a little bit more involved in the passing game in future seasons.
While there is room for growth as a receiver, Washington’s biggest asset is his blocking ability. Due to his size and physicality, the Georgia product is one of the best blocking tight ends in football. He is essentially an extra offensive lineman in the running game, making it very easy for Pittsburgh to control the clock on offense.
Washington will surely be a big-time asset for Aaron Rodgers and company in 2026 as the Steelers try to get back to the playoffs in their first season under Mike McCarthy. After this deal, the big tight end will be around for many years to come after that.
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