The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to enter the 2025 regular season with plenty of big names on both sides of the ball. Aaron Rodgers will lead the way for the offense, and fans in the Steel City are hoping he can get back to playing like the four-time MVP that he is. Over the course of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, his positive moments with the New York Jets were few and far between. While it is expected that the offense will still feature a heavy amount of running plays, the passing attack may open up with the future Hall of Famer under center.
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Steelers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on with intense focus in street clothes as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith are just a few of the names that stand out when it comes to the Steelers' offensive playmakers. Rodgers will certainly use the most talented players quite often, but he has been in the NFL for over two decades, which means that he has learned how to get the best out of everyone that is on the offensive side of the ball.
One individual that played with Rodgers for several seasons as a member of the Green Bay Packers is Marcedes Lewis. The gigantic tight end has completed 19 NFL seasons, and despite not having eye-popping numbers, he was always known to be one of Rodgers' favorite teammates. The veteran quarterback told the media back in June that Darnell Washington reminds him of Lewis.
Appearing on 93.7 The Fan recently, sports reporter Jeff Hathhorn noted that, for the first time in Washington's career, a signal-caller actually knowns how to utilize his talents.
"I think Rodgers is the first quarterback that really knows how to use Washington," Hathhorn said. "We [saw] another alley-oop to him, and he just schooled DeShon Elliot. I mean, just physically with his size, [he] just put himself in a position where there was no way anybody else was going to make the play but him. Those types of things, I think we are starting to see with the offense."
Washington has the potential to be lethal in the red zone. While he isn't expected to light up the stat sheet, he is developing into a secret weapon that opposing defenses may forget about because of everyone else that is an eligible receiver. Rodgers knows how and when to use someone like Washington due to the previous relationship with Lewis.
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Steelers tight end Darnell Washington grips a football while getting warmed up on the field before a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Lewis has never been one to put up multiple games with 100 receiving yards or more in a season, but he didn't have to. The weapons in Green Bay around him allowed him to focus on blocking, while also acting as an option in critical situations. With how much the Steelers are expected to use tight ends, Washington could be channeling his inner-Lewis quite often.
Rodgers having such a strong rapport with Lewis also helps Washington's case. Lewis stands at 6'6" and Washington is just taller than that. Big targets such as the two tight ends are quarterbacks' best friends. Fans should not be surprised if the regular season gets underway and they see Washington chipping edge rushers before running out towards the sidelines as a safety valve. In the red zone, it's very possible that the mammoth tight end is a featured part of the offense.
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Aaron Rodgers stands on the field as he looks on during a team session for the Steelers at the annual Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe, PA during 2025 training camp.
Steelers Could Have A Very Dangerous Offense Throughout 2025 Season
A lot of the pieces are starting to come together in Pittsburgh and excitement is at an all-time high. The potential of Rodgers and co. has fans believing that the offense could be the best the team has had in years. Sometimes key role players are the reason for a unit reaching new heights, and that's exactly what Washington could do for the group, which is why Lewis may eventually be someone to thank.
Do you think that the Steelers are going to utilize Washington a lot in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!
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