The Game Turned Late
Darnell Washington turned a breakout season into a long-term home in Pittsburgh. The Steelers signed their tight end to a four-year, $42 million extension that includes $21 million guaranteed, per ESPN reports.
The 6-foot-7 target was already in the final year of his rookie contract as a 2023 third-round pick from Georgia. Last season he set career highs with 31 receptions for 364 yards before a Week 17 injury ended his year. That output represented genuine growth for a player whose reputation had been built more on blocking than receiving.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
The Small Details Added Up
"He's faster than people probably think because he's so tremendously large, and he's also shifty," Aaron Rodgers said during the 2025 season. "Just his approach. Really, the growth I've seen since training camp is that he's continued to get his body in shape, get his mind in shape."
Washington revealed during the season that he weighed 311 pounds — notably heavier than his listed 264. That size showed up in Week 11 when he flattened several Cincinnati defenders on a signature play that ended speculation about moving him to offensive tackle.
The Table Looks Different
The deal came two days after outside linebacker Nick Herbig signed a four-year, $100 million extension with $42 million guaranteed. Both players were drafted by general manager Omar Khan in his first Steelers draft. Their contracts suggest Pittsburgh is locking in young core pieces rather than waiting on expensive extensions later.
With T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith still on the books, the Herbig signing could signal a gradual transition at outside linebacker. Washington's extension reinforces the Steelers' commitment to aRun-heavy offense that protects whichever quarterback starts in 2027.