Steelers' Darnell Washington Gets A Big-Time Message From Mike McCarthy

The Pittsburgh Steelers walked away from their season opener with a win and plenty of offensive film left to dissect. Some pieces immediately found their place in Mike McCarthy's new system, while others barely had opportunities to show what months of offseason planning might eventually produce. One particularly intriguing weapon landed firmly in the latter category, but Pittsburgh's head coach does not expect that to become a trend.

That player is Darnell Washington. After the massive tight end had a relatively quiet afternoon against the Atlanta Falcons, McCarthy was asked whether Pittsburgh intends to get Washington more involved moving forward. His answer during a postgame media availability left little ambiguity about the team's plans.

“I'm confident Darnell will get his opportunities,” McCarthy said.

That is an encouraging response for a player whose role has gradually expanded throughout his NFL career. Washington entered the league carrying the easy label of an oversized blocking tight end, but Pittsburgh has spent the last several seasons discovering there is considerably more available once the football actually reaches him.

His 2025 season provided the strongest evidence yet. Washington established career highs with 31 receptions and 364 receiving yards while continuing to handle the physical blocking responsibilities that made him valuable in the first place. Pittsburgh rewarded that development with a long-term extension during the offseason, making it clear the organization viewed him as more than an extra offensive lineman wearing an eligible number.

That is why his limited involvement in the opener was worth noticing without becoming alarming.

A new offense rarely distributes touches perfectly in its first game. McCarthy was simultaneously managing a new scheme, a revamped collection of skill players and the normal adjustments that arrive once an opponent begins presenting looks that were not available on preseason film. One quiet afternoon does not necessarily indicate where Washington will stand once those pieces settle.

The more important question is how Pittsburgh intends to capitalize on what makes him unusual.

At 6'7", Washington can give the offense a heavier appearance without sacrificing the possibility of throwing the football. Defenses have to respect what he provides as a blocker, particularly when he is attached to the formation. If linebackers and safeties become too aggressive reacting to the run, that same alignment can put Washington into space against defenders who suddenly have to tackle someone built much more like the player they expected to block them.

That conflict is where McCarthy can create opportunities without turning Washington into a traditional high-volume receiving tight end.

Pittsburgh does not need eight targets per game to make his presence meaningful. Play action, short crossers, delayed releases and throws into the flat can force a defense to account for Washington after spending the opening seconds of the play concerned about his blocking assignment. A few touches can make every future snap from the same personnel grouping slightly harder to diagnose.

The Steelers also have the personnel to avoid choosing between Washington and Pat Freiermuth. Freiermuth remains the more established receiving threat, but using both gives Pittsburgh a way to present legitimate run strength without shrinking the passing menu.

Add Robert Tonyan and McCarthy can move between several different versions of 12 and 13 personnel. Washington's development as a receiver is what makes those packages particularly interesting. If defenses know he is only on the field to block, the disguise disappears. Give him enough opportunities to punish that assumption and the entire formation becomes harder to read.

That was part of the appeal surrounding Washington's expanding offensive role throughout the offseason. His receiving numbers had climbed in each of his first three seasons, while his ability after the catch provided something few players his size can replicate. The Steelers already know he can improve the offense without receiving the ball. The next step is forcing opponents to worry about what happens when he does.

Aaron Rodgers can help determine when those chances arrive. Veteran quarterbacks tend to gravitate toward matchups rather than forcing touches simply because someone has been quiet. If Washington draws a favorable defender or Pittsburgh catches a defense selling out against the run, Rodgers has enough experience to recognize where the easy opportunity exists.

Steelers Still Have More To Unlock

McCarthy's message should prevent anyone from treating Week 1 as a declaration about Washington's place in the offense.

There will be games where blocking dominates his workload. There will probably be afternoons where Freiermuth or the receivers receive most of the passing opportunities because the matchup points the football elsewhere. That flexibility is supposed to be one of the strengths of this offense.

Washington becomes particularly valuable when opponents cannot predict which version they are getting.

The Steelers have already invested in his continued growth, and McCarthy clearly does not sound like a coach who believes one quiet opener revealed the limits of Washington's role. Pittsburgh simply has to convert that confidence into opportunities as the offense develops.

For now, one of McCarthy's most physically unique weapons remains largely hidden.

His head coach does not expect him to stay that way.

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