Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers are undefeated when one of their unlikely players plays the majority of snaps.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 3-1 start to the 2025 season can be attributed to several players, but one surprising player has a strong link to the team’s recent success.
According to Tommy Jaggi of FanSided, the Steelers are undefeated (6-0), average 125.1 rushing yards per game, have seven rushing touchdowns and outscored their opponents 149-110 when backup tight end Darnell Washington has played over 40 offensive snaps over the past few years (2023-25).
#Steelers when TE Darnell Washington plays over 40 offensive snaps (2023-2025):
🔸6-0 record
🔸125.1 rushing yards per game
🔸7 rushing TDs
🔸Outscoring opponents 149-110
🔸2-0 against the Ravens— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) September 29, 2025
Pittsburgh seems to be catching on, though, as it didn’t use Washington as a backup very much in Week 4. In fact, he outsnapped everyone else in the room with 48. Fellow tight end Connor Heyward had 16, Pat Freiermuth 15 and Jonnu Smith 13.
It’s safe to say it worked out, too, as the Steelers seemed to dominate the Minnesota Vikings all afternoon, despite the 24-21 final making it look closer than it really was.
Washington hasn’t had the impact many envisioned he would in the pass attack with just 29 catches for 281 yards and one touchdown through his first three years in the NFL.
However, the 6-foot-7, 264-pound tight end has been a key piece in the trenches, acting as a sixth offensive lineman at times.
Only time will tell how the Steelers will decide to deploy Washington moving forward, but if they want to keep adding to their win column, giving Washington more opportunities may just be the answer.
Pittsburgh selected Washington in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the hopes of him bolstering its tight end room. It’s safe to say he’s done just that.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Surprising Player Linked to Steelers’ Recent Success
