After setting career high in receptions and yards in 2025, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington earned a big time payday last week, signing a four year extension worth up to 42 million dollars. The deal ties Washington to the franchise through 2030 and gives him an opportunity to continue to become more involved in the Steelers offense as he has every year throughout his career.
During the final week of OTAs, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy took time to speak about just how impressive
Washington has been since McCarthy has arrived in Pittsburgh.
“He’s a complete Y tight end. I’ve been so impressed with him,” McCarthy told Brenden Howe of SteelersNow on Tuesday. “To have a tight end that can line up next to the tackle and block a defensive end, that’s not been the norm in the last couple of decades in the National Football League. He gives you the ability to play under center offense the way it was played in the ’90s. That’s something I’m looking forward to. But he’s done everything else. He’s been here every day during the offseason program. He’s been a pro. His attention to detail in the meetings. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but I’ve been impressed with his work ethic. He’s a problem, a matchup problem. He’s a matchup problem in the pass game, especially in the red zone. Third-down situations, so he has a lot of value. A lot of value for our offense.”
Washington certainly provides the most value as a blocker. His six foot seven inch 264 pound frame makes him one of the largest at the position. The tight end can still move well for his size and showed an ability to make thing happen after the catch last season with nasty stiff arms and hurdling defenders.
The Steelers offense will likely look very different under McCarthy this season. McCarthy made it sound like there could be more plays from under center this season, which would almost certainly mean Washington is on the field more. With a new extension and a new head coach raving about him, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the tight end take another step forward in 2026.
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