Steelers' Darnell Washington Takes Next Step After Latest Comments Surface From Ex-Teammate

The Pittsburgh Steelers were expected to have one of, if not the best tight end room in the entire league in the 2025 season. Of course, the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers also heightened expectations of this room. Last season, the tight end room confidently underperformed as a whole. Jonnu Smith was not able to recapture the magic he had with the Miami Dolphins a year prior in the 2024 season, and Pat Freiermuth and Rodgers never seemed to be able to get on the same page.

Now that Mike McCarthy is at the helm, many are expecting Freiermuth to be used more like a traditional pass-catching tight end. Smith is gone after struggling, but it was Darnell Washington who broke out. It was not his stats, but what he did when the ball got into his hands that really set the tone. Washington is over 300 pounds and a 6'8" tight end, and when he got the football in 2025, he punished defenders.

His former teammate, Smith recently joined Jordan Schultz and spoke about how Washington is entering a new level. Smith emphasized just how physically imposing Washington is, noting how difficult it is to match up with him on any given day. That kind of endorsement from a former teammate has only added to the growing buzz around Washington heading into the next phase of his development with the Steelers.

"At 320, 6'8", comes in, works hard," Smith said while speaking to Schultz about Washington. "He listens, and he is very coachable, and he can move. You ever seen this guy come across the line of scrimmage and block? Oh my goodness, it is just a sight to see. There is not really a [comparison] out there for him. I think he is just in a league of his own. That’s the best thing he’s got going for him, and that’s what makes him so special."

Many Steelers fans were left disappointed with how Smith played in the 2025 season, but Washington wowed, stealing the show. 

Smith continued to share a story about the time his 6'3", 250-pound self was left feeling tiny standing next to Washington.

"He really is just like a big kid," Smith said. "He’s a great football player. He had a he** of a year, man. He made a lot of great plays. Darnell’s probably the biggest teammate I have ever played with. I remember training camp, we came out into our personnel, and we were in the wing set. He got in his stance and I got in my stance, and I realized I had never looked smaller a day in my life. We play the same position, and the dude next to me is making me look like a mouse. You know I am 6’3”, 250 pounds."

Steelers Fans Are Eager To See Darnell Washington Back On The Field

Washington didn't put up eye-popping numbers when he caught 31 receptions for 364 yards and one touchdown in 16 games. However, his presence was felt as a blocker and as an all-around daunting weapon in the offensive game. Steelers fans are left wondering if the playoffs might have gone differently if Washington had been healthy. 

Now, with a new regime in place, Steelers fans are excited to get him back in the lineup and see how he will be used heading into 2026.

Please feel free to share your Steelers takes and thoughts with me on X (@anthonyghalkias) and consider following for more Steelers-related content and discussion. I read and respond. 

#SteelerNation