Could Darnell Washington eventually become the Steelers’ top tight end?
With Darnell Washington locked up for the next five seasons, how might the Steelers’ tight end room evolve over time? They also have Pat Freiermuth locked up under contract, his deal running through 2028. For the 2027 season, he carries a $10 million compensation package. He’ll be owed roughly another $8.5 million in 2028.
But what happens in 2029, at which point Freiermuth would be in his age-31 season? Two different coaching staffs have now found themselves enamored with Darnell Washington, seeking more ways to get him more involved and active in the offense. Last year, he played close to 60 percent of the offensive snaps, adjusted for time lost to injury. Freiermuth barely cracked 50 percent, but Jonnu Smith had a lot to do with that.
Still, could there be a point in time at which the Steelers view Washington as their top tight end? And would that necessitate an increase in his role in the passing game, which has been an ongoing process? While he may talk about a potential future in which he plays tackle, he also wants to catch more passes.
A year ago, Washington caught 31 passes on 43 targets for 364 yards and 1 touchdown. Each year, he continues to hone his craft in that area, and it shows on the field. But how much does his frame limit his ceiling in that area? While Freiermuth is a good receiving tight end, he isn’t in the Brock Bowers category.
Money is always a factor, and now the Steelers have a good amount of it tied up in their tight end room. For now, it’s a luxury, but it doesn’t necessarily have to change. There is some momentum around the league for a two-tight-end offense, as we saw in the draft. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington have coexisted for three years and can continue to do so for the next three, if not more.
But does Washington have the chops to be that legitimate top tight end? Can he consistently put up 500-plus yards and find the end zone half a dozen times? Is that how we have to define the role, or might the Steelers have other ideas?
The Steelers have a long road ahead of them under Mike McCarthy, along with his cadre of quarterbacks. With seven consecutive postseason losses and no wins in nearly a decade, they are under fire for their repeated playoff failures. While we have seen many changes, none could dream of topping Mike Tomlin’s resignation.
We’re already deep into the offseason, with free agency and the draft already reshaping rosters. The Steelers, of course, are used to early-offseason mode, as a team that loses by the middle of January all the time. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.