Steelers' Darnell Washington Hears Crazy Comment From Ravens Safety Alohi Gilman Ahead Of Week 14: "I Don't Care"

The Pittsburgh Steelers may be struggling in the 2025 season, but tight end Darnell Washington has made the most of his moments. Originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft to become an elite blocking tight end, Washington has developed into far more than a role player. Standing 6’7” and now officially exposed to be a staggering 311 pounds, he’s become an almost impossible tackle when the ball is in his hands. Though he slipped in the 2023 draft due to concerns about his knees and long-term health, Washington has consistently shown that when given opportunities, he can be a difference-maker.

In 2025, he’s taken a noticeable leap. Washington’s rare blend of size, strength, and surprising agility has allowed him to punish defenders in the open field, routinely burying defensive backs who attempt to bring him down. His improved production has stood out even amid the Steelers’ broader offensive struggles, giving the team a reliable physical presence and a spark whenever he’s featured in the game plan. For a unit searching for identity, Washington has provided one of the few bright spots.

His dominance hasn’t gone unnoticed by opponents, including Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman. With the Ravens preparing to host the Steelers in Week 14 at M&T Bank Stadium, Gilman acknowledged Washington’s ability to bulldoze through secondaries, but made it clear he isn’t intimidated by the 311-pound tight end. Baltimore’s defense prides itself on physicality, and Gilman says he welcomes the challenge. As the AFC North rivals gear up for another heavy-hitting matchup, Washington’s growing role could be one of the most compelling storylines heading into Baltimore.

"Yeah, I don't care," Gilman said while speaking to several members of the Baltimore media on Thursday. "I mean I have played against him before. I have a lot of respect for him. He is a great player with great size. You guys can see me. I am not 300 pounds, but I do not see numbers when I am out there. I just see bodies so we are gonna go get after him."

To be fair, one Steelers fan actually replied to Steelers insider Brian Batko’s post about Gilman, saying, “What is he supposed to say?” Batko explained that Gilman could have chosen not to comment at all instead of making a statement about Washington. Or he could have just simply left out the part where he says, "I don't care."

Batko pointed out that the last thing you want to do is upset a guy who is 311 pounds when you are 200 pounds and 5’10”. However, Gilman seems unfazed and has zero fear about facing Washington, viewing him as just another body on the football field. For Gilman’s sake, he better hope Washington does not get a chance to break into the open field the way he did against the Cincinnati Bengals because if he does, he is capable of embarrassing anyone in his way.

Steelers' Darnell Washington Led Team In Week 13

While Washington was the Steelers’ leading receiver in Week 13’s embarrassing home defeat to the Buffalo Bills, that actually highlights a bigger problem for this offense. 

When you have DK Metcalf and are paying him top wide receiver money, Washington—who had just two catches for 45 receiving yards—should never be your leading receiver in a game where the team was behind for most of the second half. It is just further evidence of how troublesome the Steelers’ offense has been as of late.

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