Former Steelers OC Todd Haley Gives Arthur Smith Insane Idea On How To Use Darnell Washington

The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a big-time matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15. The game will be a Monday Night Football primetime showdown at Acrisure Stadium. It is worth noting that the Steelers have not lost a home game on Monday night since 1991, giving them a historic edge as they prepare to face a Dolphins team that has completely turned around its fortunes this season. Miami now boasts one of the best rushing attacks in football, making this game a true test of Pittsburgh’s defensive and offensive strength.

To counter the Dolphins’ ground game, the Steelers will need to match their physicality with a strong rushing attack of their own. Former Steelers Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley appeared on Kaboly + Mack to share a bold idea that could give Pittsburgh an advantage. Haley offered current Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith some indirect advice suggesting that 6’7”, 311-pound tight end Darnell Washington be used in a running back role.

Haley’s theory is simple. Trying to bring down a player of Washington’s size and strength in cold conditions could be nearly impossible for any defender. Of course, the success of such a strategy would depend entirely on Washington’s ball security, as one fumble could quickly turn the tide. Still, Haley’s suggestion adds an intriguing wrinkle to Pittsburgh’s game plan and has fans buzzing about a potential creative twist in Week 15.

"He is a fun player to watch," Haley said about how much the Steelers can do with Washington. "He reminds me when I was a kid and my father drafted Eric Green. He had a similar body type, a big huge man that can run, he was athletic and kind of a dancing bear. He's a lot of fun to watch but I am not there. I do not know his processes learned and some of those things."

The Steelers drafted Washington in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the idea that he would be an elite blocking tight end, just as he was at Georgia. Well, it turns out that when healthy, Washington is a force to be reckoned with in the open field. 

The Steelers would be wise to find more creative ways to get their 6’7” tight end the football, especially in cold weather, according to Haley.

"In a game like this again, who wants to try and tackle that guy?" Haley asked. "I mean I might even consider handing it off to him once or twice just to run out on the perimeter where corners gotta try and tackle that guy. I mean he got what, three angry runs on one catch like three weeks ago? Big bodies like that you love to have. He can block. You just try to get the ball in his hands in sensible ways and make these Miami defensive backs try to tackle them."

The Steelers are going to be facing off against their former star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in this contest. As every football fan knows, the Steelers traded Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins right before the 2025 season began. In return, they received tight end Jonnu Smith and defensive back Jalen Ramsey.

Steelers May Look To Unleash Darnell Washington Against Former Star Minkah Fitzpatrick

Now Fitzpatrick will be looking for revenge on the team that sent him away. Steelers fans will remember one of his most infamous moments in the playoffs when Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry ran him over. That memory adds an extra layer of intensity to this matchup.

There could be a chance to see Washington create a similar moment if the Steelers get him the ball in the open field. With his size and athleticism, Washington could make defenders pay, especially in a game filled with personal stakes and high energy.

Do you agree with Haley? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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