The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some frustrating offensive performances in recent years, but hopefully that is going to change in 2026 as Mike McCarthy will be bringing a fresh approach to the franchise after being hired as the head coach. He has already announced that he will be calling the plays throughout the games, and his offense is one that Aaron Rodgers is somewhat familiar with. The duo is reuniting in Pittsburgh after a successful run with the Green Bay Packers, and although they have been apart for almost a decade, the two are looking to continue that success with the Steelers.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers share a laugh during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in May of 2026 as the team gets a workout done in Pittsburgh, PA.
There have been a ton of complaints about the offense in Pittsburgh in recent years. Many fans believe the unit had become predictable. The group was not aggressive enough and there weren't enough chances taken in the passing game. However, one of the most common complaints has been the lack of involvement for the franchise's two exciting tight ends. Both Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington have proven that good things happen when they get the football, yet it doesn't feel like anything is ever really schemed up for them.
Washington signed an extension during the 2026 offseason, and beat writer Chris Carter joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday morning to discuss the upcoming training camp. He was asked about Washington's involvement, and whether or not he will be a bigger part of the game plan in 2026.
"They better," Carter said. "They better when they pay him as much as they did. I feel like they have to at this point, and they should. Now I do think it's going to be interesting. Brian Angelichio, the new offensive coordinator, despite being a tight ends coach in his past, I don't think he's going to engineer the offense through the tight ends. But I do think he's going to find better ways to get the ball to the tight ends."
Washington signed a four-year, $42 million extension with the team during the 2026 offseason. Fans were surprised about this deal as he is technically a backup, but the blocking tight end market has been booming as of late. He becomes the highest-paid player in the league that fits that description, and if the Steelers can get him the ball some more, the contract would be more than justified.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Darnell Washington (80) runs during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in 2026.
Washington hasn't been the most productive pass catcher in Pittsburgh, but no tight end has. Freiermuth has proven time and time again that he should be used more, yet he was never really given a chance to thrive in the offense over the last two seasons. Hopefully that changes for both him and Washington.
Washington makes his presence known in the running game, but fans want to see more of him with the football. Throughout the first three years of his career, he has caught just 57 passes for a little over 600 yards and two scores. His production needs to be higher than that. It has jumped in each year of his career, and in 2025 he caught 31 passes for 364 yards. Hopefully he can approach 500 yards in 2026 with some more balls coming his way.
Steelers Need More Out Of Their Tight Ends
Now that Washington signed his extension, the Steelers have a decent amount of money invested in the tight end position. Freiermuth also signed a four-year extension worth just north of $48 million before the 2024 season, so he is on the books through 2028. That's a good amount of money invested across two tight ends, and the production better reflect that at the end of the 2026 season. Fans were frustrated with the lack of usage for the tight ends in 2025, and so were the two players.
What do you think about Carter's comments on Washington's usage for the 2026 season? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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