The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the strongest tight end rooms in the National Football League. Not only is the group one of the best units, but also one of the largest collectives. Pat Freiermuth has been the Steelers' top option at tight end since he was drafted out of Penn State in 2021, but over the last few seasons, the emergence of Michigan State's Connor Heyward and Georgia's Darnell Washington have added a nice mix to the Steelers' offensive personnel.
USA Today
Steelers' Connor Heyward shakes hands with Pat Freiermuth after big play.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith will have plenty of options and combinations for the tight end position in 2025. With the season just weeks away, the Steelers are looking for their tight ends to take that next step with four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers running the offense in Pittsburgh.
Washington is entering his third year in the league, and the biggest question behind his game has been his pass-catching ability, something that he hasn't quite yet showcased in the NFL. While speaking with the media during training camp, he was ready to put any doubt to rest.
"Not even just last season, but coming out the draft everyone said, 'Oh, he's a blocking tight end,' but I never really had the chance to showcase my pass catching or just me getting the ball," Washington said.
Washington has been viewed as mainly a blocking tight end through his first two seasons with the black and gold, and a very good one at that. Compared to Freiermuth and Heyward's receving statistics, Washington has been mostly an afterthought in the Steelers' passing attack.
Washington took a big step in the receiving department in 2024, catching 19 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown, compared to just seven catches for 61 yards in 2023. Despite the improvement, Washington is looking to take on a larger role with the Steelers' offense in 2025.
Washington has caught the eyes of fans and media in attendance at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe during training camp, not only because of his 6'7" 275-pound stature, but also because of his increased involvement in the passing game early on. With Rodgers' history of throwing to tight ends often, and Arthur Smith's history of using tight ends often, Washington could be bound for a breakout season in 2025.
"With this offense, I feel like my role is improving day by day," Washington stated. "I just got to keep showing it and keep displaying it."
Washington stepping up would be an incredible development for the Steelers, as he could act as a secret weapon that opposing defenses are not necessarily ready for.
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Steelers Tight End Darnell Washington catches a touchdown pass from Justin Fields during the Steelers' Week 2 win at Denver in 2024
Washington is no stranger to catching passes. Surprisingly enough, Washington didn't play the tight end position until he arrived at Georgia in 2020, as he predominantly played wide receiver at Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas.
Washington has aided the Steelers' run game in his first two seasons with his blocking ability, making the case that he could even play either tackle position in the future if needed.
"Personally, I feel like I can [play tackle]," Washington stated. "Right now I'm a tight end, but later on down the road if they ask me to do that I'll do it to my best ability."
If Arthur Smith can find ways to get Washington involved in the Steelers' passing attack, it can add another element of difficulty for opposing defenses to game-plan against and defend.
Washington also expressed his excitement for the newest Steelers tight end in Jonnu Smith. The pass-catcher reunites with Arthur Smith, who he spent 2019 and 2020 with the Tennessee Titans.
"Adding Jonnu to the room brings a new flavor to the room," Washington said. "I feel like that not only helps our room, but the offense as a whole."
With Washington's size, Freiermuth's reliabilty, Heyward's toughness, and Jonnu Smith's flavor, the Steelers' tight ends can make some serious noise in 2025.
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Jonnu Smith runs with the football against the Patriots in 2018.
Steelers Will Look To Showcase Tight End Dominance Right Away In Week 1
The Steelers will kickoff the 2025 season on September 7th at 1 PM EST when they travel to East Rutherford, NJ to face the New York Jets. Pittsburgh's home opener will be the following week on September 14th at Acrisure Stadium against the Seattle Seahawks, and the fan base is extremely excited to see how the tight ends step up when it matters most.
Do you think the Steelers' tight ends can make them one of the top offenses in the NFL? Let us know in the comments below!
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