The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering 2025 with a brand new signal-caller: four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers know that in order to get the most out of the 41-year old future Hall of Fame quarterback, it will be important to protect him. Pittsburgh feels that it has a strong offensive line heading into 2025, but there is still some uncertainty at the tackle position.
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Steelers' quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, calls the play in the huddle during training camp 2025.
The Steelers drafted Broderick Jones 14th overall out of Georgia in 2023, and his first two seasons were quite underwhelming. Jones will be making the move from right tackle to left tackle in 2025, but there is still some concern on if he'll be able to keep Rodgers upright. Troy Fautanu only started one game in 2025 before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
The Steelers drafted Fautanu 20th overall out of Washington, with the hopes that he could be their next franchise offensive tackle, but eyes will be on him to see how he bounces back after his injury. Jones and Fautanu come into 2025 with a lot to prove, and some pretty high expectations as well, but NFL analyst, Daniel Jeremiah said on a recent episode of 40s and Free Agents that he believes the Steelers next franchise offensive tackle is someone else.
"I think [Darnell Washington is] the best tackle on the team," Jeremiah said. "I really like (Troy) Fautanu, their right tackle, and we'll see what Broderick Jones can be. But just in terms of talent, he's got the frame to do it."
He is talking about the Steelers' fourth-year tight end, Darnell Washington. This has been the summer of Washington, who has made headlines throughout the offseason for his increased involvement in the Steelers' offense. At 6'7" and 275 pounds, Washington is a monster at the tight end position. He has the structure of an offensive lineman, but the athleticism of a wide receiver.
Steelers fans have seen small pieces of Washington's potential throughout his young career, including recently when he pulled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Mason Rudolph in the Steelers' win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 of the preseason.
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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.
Steelers fans have been itching to see what Washington can do when Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith gives his the opportunity to make plays, but with question marks at the tackle positions for the immediate future, many are looking at Washington to potentially make that position change.
Despite his play-making ability, some think that Washington could help the Steelers even more by switching positions. When asked earlier this summer if he would be willing to move to tackle, Washington didn't bat an eye.
"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."
Washington has showed enough in the run-blocking department in his first two seasons to prove that he could make that move, and be very successful as well.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Darnell Washington blocks linebacker TJ Watt during Steelers practice.
Steelers' Darnell Washington Compared To Future NFL Hall of Famer
Any time a player is compared to a future Hall of Famer, you pay attention. The Steelers have multiple players on the current roster who could potentially see themselves in Canton, Ohio one day. Jeremiah, and his partner Gregg Rosenthal, continued their praise on Washington's potential and went on to compare him to a future Hall of Famer.
"If you want to earmark this for three years down the road and we're talking about Jason Peters 2.0, it's this dude," Jeremiah said.
Would you like to see Darnell Washington catching touchdown passes? Or do you think he can be the next anchor of the Steelers' offensive line?
Let us know in the comments!
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