The Pittsburgh Steelers watched Darnell Washington finally begin turning his rare physical traits into legitimate receiving production during the 2025 season. The massive tight end caught 31 passes for 364 yards and one touchdown, setting career highs in receptions and receiving yards. Those numbers may not look dominant on their own, but Washington produced more receiving yards in 2025 than he had during his first two NFL seasons combined.
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Steelers tight end Darnell Washington during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Washington became more than a gigantic blocker in Arthur Smith’s offense. At 6-foot-7 and well over 260 pounds, he created a problem for defenders whenever Pittsburgh got the football into his hands. His combination of size, strength, and surprising movement made him incredibly difficult for one defender to bring down, especially once he was allowed to build momentum after the catch.
However, Smith is no longer running Pittsburgh’s offense. Mike McCarthy is now leading the Steelers, and his arrival immediately created questions about how Washington would fit inside a completely different system. Washington remains valuable as a blocker, but his receiving opportunities were never guaranteed to carry over when the Steelers changed their entire offensive operation.
Pat Freiermuth also entered camp needing a much different role after a frustrating 2025 season. He caught 41 passes for 486 yards and four touchdowns, but those numbers represented a noticeable decline from the 65 receptions, 653 yards, and seven touchdowns he produced in 2024. McCarthy appears determined to get Freiermuth back on track, and Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo believes Washington may already be paying the price for that decision.
"They are definitely throwing to him less in camp this year than they were last year with Arthur Smith," Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan. "I think considerably less. I think there’s been an emphasis to get Pat Freiermuth more involved. I’m not saying Darnell’s disappeared from the passing offense. You just don’t notice him as much."
That is a significant observation because Washington appeared to be building real momentum as a receiving weapon. Pittsburgh rewarded his development with a four-year contract extension during the offseason, making it clear that the organization still considers him an important part of its future. His reduced involvement does not mean McCarthy suddenly dislikes Washington, but it may show how dramatically the offensive priorities have changed.
That creates an unusual situation. Washington did nothing wrong. He developed, produced the best receiving season of his career, and earned a long-term commitment from the organization. Now, his opportunities may be shrinking because the new coaching staff is trying to correct how another talented tight end was handled by the previous regime.
Steelers Must Find Room For Both Talented Tight Ends
Fittipaldo’s comments should not automatically cause Steeler Nation to believe Washington will disappear. Training camp targets do not always predict exactly how an offense will operate once the regular season begins. McCarthy could simply be using August to establish Freiermuth’s confidence and chemistry with Rodgers after he spent much of 2025 fighting for opportunities.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Darnell Washington runs through a drill during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in 2026.
Still, Washington’s reduced involvement is worth monitoring. Pittsburgh possesses one of the NFL’s most physically unusual offensive weapons, and turning him exclusively into an additional offensive lineman would waste part of what made his 2025 breakout so exciting. Even if Freiermuth becomes the primary receiving tight end, Washington deserves designed opportunities that take advantage of his massive frame.
The best outcome would not require one player to fail for the other to succeed. Freiermuth can enjoy the bounce-back season Pittsburgh has been waiting for while Washington continues developing as a receiving threat. McCarthy was hired to build a more effective offense, and finding creative ways to feature both tight ends would give Rodgers two completely different problems to present opposing defenses.
For now, however, the early evidence suggests Freiermuth has become the priority. Washington may remain a critical piece of Pittsburgh’s offense, but he could be asked to sacrifice part of the receiving role he worked so hard to earn in 2025.
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