Where The Story Turns
The Pittsburgh Steelers have locked up their towering tight end. Darnell Washington, the 6-foot-7 former Georgia Bulldog, agreed to a four-year, $42 million extension with $21 million guaranteed, per ESPN.
Washington was entering the final year of his rookie contract after being selected in the third round of the 2023 draft. He quietly put together a breakout 2025 season before suffering a Week 17 injury in the loss to Cleveland, setting career highs with 31 receptions for 364 yards.
The Stakes In Plain Sight
His growth as a receiver last season appears to have sealed the deal. Washington revealed during the 2025 season that he played at 311 pounds — notably heavier than his listed playing weight of 264 — and showed enough shiftiness to quiet any talk of moving him to offensive tackle.
"He's faster than people probably think because he's so tremendously large," Aaron Rodgers said during the 2025 season. "He's consistently made those game-changing plays."
The Question Left Open
Washington is the second member of Pittsburgh's 2023 draft class to land a significant extension in as many days. Outside linebacker Nick Herbig signed a four-year, $100 million deal Tuesday that included $42 million guaranteed.
Both picks came during general manager Omar Khan's first draft at the helm. The back-to-back extensions suggest Pittsburgh is betting heavily on its youngest core — and may be signaling a shift toward locking in talent before price tags climb further.