Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 264 pounds, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington represents one of the most imposing physical offensive threats in the NFL. During Pittsburgh’s 16-10 international victory over the New Orleans Saints in Paris, Mike McCarthy’s offense once again demonstrated how Washington’s towering frame creates an indefensible goal-line matchup.
Washington secured the game's only touchdown on a four-yard goal-line fade, out-muscling his defender in single coverage to put Pittsburgh ahead for good.
While recapping the game on his “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward” podcast, veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward highlighted how McCarthy’s offensive design intentionally isolates defensive backs against Washington in the red
zone.
"And then on that touchdown, that originates from last year," Heyward said. "We did a lot of that and getting Darnell one-on-ones, but it's disgusting. You feel bad for those corners and defensive backs because, like you're isolated on a one-on-one. What are you going to do? Ask for help?"
The size discrepancy leaves cornerbacks in an impossible position without secondary support. As Heyward noted, defensive coordinators cannot allocate extra defenders to assist without opening up the box for Pittsburgh's physical running attack.
"No, we are putting you in a situation where there's no corner in this league that wants to be put into," Heyward added. "And it's something that you know you start to create more and more matchups like that that start playing pass. Then we'll just run it down your throat."
As the Steelers march through the season, weaponizing Washington's physical advantages provides the offense with a high-percentage red zone blueprint that opposing defenses remain powerless to stop.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Cam Heyward calls Darnell Washington's red zone dominance 'disgusting'
