PIT Darnell Washington
NFL player. Position: TE. Team: Pittsburgh Steelers.
Quick Facts
- Position: TE
- Team: Steelers (PIT)
- Height/Weight: 6'7", ~300 lbs
- Contract: 4-year, $42M extension (signed June 2026; $21M guaranteed)
2026 Outlook
Washington agreed to a four-year, $42 million extension with the Steelers on June 4, 2026, signaling the team's confidence in the 24-year-old tight end as a core piece of their offense going forward. The deal comes after a breakout 2025 season where he posted career highs: 13 starts, 31 catches, 364 yards and 16 first downs. He's a "unicorn" tight end—exceptionally large at 6'7" and ~300 pounds—who excels as both a receiver and an elite blocker. Despite modest career totals (57 receptions, 625 yards, 2 TDs), his impact as a run-game facilitator makes him valuable beyond traditional receiving stats (per TE Darnell Washington, Steelers agree to terms on four-year, $42M extension). Washington is secure atop the TE depth chart with Pat Freiermuth, with strong competition for No. 3 reps from a renovated depth room featuring rookies Riley Nowakowski, Lake McRee, veteran Robert Tonyan (Rodgers connection), and others. (per Pittsburgh's Tight End Battle Is Suddenly Heating Up)
Role / Depth Chart
Primary tight end. Steelers' focal point in pass game and run blocking.
Injury Status
No current injuries reported.
Recent News
- 2026-05-09 — McCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 53-Man Roster Prediction (Pre-OTAs) (McCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 53-Man Roster Prediction (Pre-OTAs))
- 2026-06-20 — 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Titans Sign Jeffery Simmons To Record Deal (2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Titans Sign Jeffery Simmons To Record Deal)
- 2026-05-23 — One Practice Nugget Proves Riley Nowakowski Will Be Used More Than Just An Old-School... (One Practice Nugget Proves Riley Nowakowski Will Be Used More Than Just An Old-School...)
- 2026-06-19 — ESPN urges the Steelers to do the one thing everyone wants to see get done ahead of... (ESPN urges the Steelers to do the one thing everyone wants to see get done ahead of...)
- 2026-06-11 — 2026 NFL contracts: Next to get a big deal at every position (2026 NFL contracts: Next to get a big deal at every position)
- 2026-06-05 — Steelers sign former Chiefs tight end to help Aaron Rodgers as Robert Tonyan reunites... (Steelers sign former Chiefs tight end to help Aaron Rodgers as Robert Tonyan reunites...)
- 2026-06-18 — 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Chargers Adjusting QB Justin Herbert's Footwork (2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Chargers Adjusting QB Justin Herbert's Footwork)
- 2026-03-01 — Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Tight Ends (2026) (Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Tight Ends (2026))
- 2026-02-25 — Best Ball Draft Targets (2026 Fantasy Football) (Best Ball Draft Targets (2026 Fantasy Football))
- 2026-06-17 — 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Jaguars Make Matiscik NFL's Highest-Paid Long Snapper (2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Jaguars Make Matiscik NFL's Highest-Paid Long Snapper)