Steelers' Recent Contract Extension Seems Like A Major Discount

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a tremendous 2023 draft class that has commanded the front office to make some major personnel decisions. Pittsburgh's General Manager Omar Khan nailed nearly every pick, and the goal is always to draft, develop, and re-sign players. Khan's class has already earned some big paychecks, and more are seemingly being worked on. The Steelers' young core has been built on a lot of players from this class, and keeping them around is a difficult but intriguing reality. 

Among the players who have already re-signed with the team from the 2023 class are outside linebacker Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington. The two were mid-round picks in the draft, but both have made huge impacts in their young careers. Herbig has excelled even in a very deep edge rush room, and Washington has cemented himself as an elite blocking tight end with upside in the receiving game. Herbig was signed to a four-year, $100 million deal, and Washington to a four-year, $42 million contract. 

Focusing on Washington, his play has consistently developed each year, and in 2025, he showed that he can be a reliable target. The deal may seem like a lot for a blocking tight end, but with his potential as a receiver, and the big paychecks that blocking tight ends are getting nowadays, it has led one insider to believe that this deal could be a good one. Steelers writer Mark Kaboly discussed Washington's contract during a segment on 93.7 The Fan. 

"You look at the money [Washington] got compared to some of these other tight ends, who play very similarly to what he does, it looks like it could be a steal," Kaboly said. 

The Steelers made sure they locked up their unicorn of a tight end, who stands at six-foot-seven and pushes 300 pounds. He had his best season yet in his third year, even with a similar snap count to year two. The difference is that he added the receiving numbers in 2025, totaling 364 yards on 31 catches, and 18 more targets than in 2024. Washington was a much bigger part of the offense in year three, and the sky's the limit in year four. 

Washington's contract is similar to the deals signed by players who are clearly a tier below him. For example, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million contract. Though he has a slightly lower AAV than Washington, Kolar is nowhere near the player that Washington is. The 2026 NFL Draft also saw a plethora of tight ends get picked arguably earlier than many expected. The market for blocking tight ends has gone up, and this contract has the chance to age very well. 

Washington will have to stay healthy, as he has had some knee issues in the past. However, he has reportedly been slimming down, which will help with that, as well as make him even more of a receiving threat. If Washington can put it all together, he'll be a very special player for Pittsburgh. His size already gives him quite the advantage; now, seeing the receiving numbers pick up will be the goal. 

The Steelers Will Need To Use Two-Tight-End Sets

The Steelers have two extremely talented tight ends on their roster with Washington and Pat Freiermuth. Pittsburgh limited Freiermuth's usage in 2025, through the scheme and using a lot of jumbo sets. The offense struggled to find the middle of the field at times, which is where he is most dominant. This led to a lot of frustration from Freiermuth. However, with Washington's ascent and his new deal, the two will have to see the field, even if it's together. 

Though Mike McCarthy's offenses haven't always featured heavy two-tight-end usage, to make sure the team is getting the most out of its talent, it should be something to consider. 

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