While the Jalen Ramsey–Minkah Fitzpatrick swap stole headlines earlier this week, the Steelers also added some major tight end depth in Jonnu Smith. It’s not hard to understand Pittsburgh’s thinking. As the team looks to load up around Aaron Rodgers, they added a savvy veteran who’s coming off a career year in Miami.
[RELATED: Steelers Acquire, Extend TE Jonnu Smith]
When paired with incumbent Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers now have one of the strongest TE tandems in the entire NFL. However, the Smith acquisition pushed another notable tight end down the depth chart…and potentially off the roster altogether.
Darnell Washington is known more for his measurables than his actual NFL production, and for very good reason. At six-foot-seven, the Steelers tight end is one of the most physically intimidating individuals in the entire league. He doesn’t lead his position in height; that achievement belongs to teammate Donald Parham Jr., who is out for the upcoming season thanks to a torn Achilles. Unlike Parham and similar to fellow 6’7″ tight ends like Colby Parkinson and Tyree Jackson, Washington stands out on the scale, where he weighs in at 264 pounds.
Also unlike those other physical behemoths, Washington has actually shown some major athleticism. During the 2023 combine, the tight end recorded a 4.64-second 40-yard dash time. For comparison’s sake, Steelers rookie RB Kaleb Johnson recorded a 40-yard time of 4.57 seconds, and while 2025 first-round tight ends Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren didn’t participate in the dash, their estimated times came in lower than the Steelers TE (4.70 for Loveland, 4.68 for Warren).
Washington won a pair of National Championships during his time with the Bulldogs, and despite topping out at 454 receiving yards, the Steelers still snagged him with the 93rd-overall pick in the 2023 draft. Now known affectionally as “Mount Washington” in Pittsburgh, the tight end still hasn’t truly clicked on offense through his first two NFL seasons. After hauling in only seven catches as a rookie, the 23-year-old took a mini leap this past season, finishing with 19 receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown. Understandably, the Steelers have clearly been looking for a bit more.
That lack of production probably explains why the Steelers anxiously inked Smith to an extension following yesterday’s trade, and with Freiermuth also signed to a long-term deal, Washington appears destined to play out his rookie contract as the Steelers’ third tight end. Considering his draft status, Washington’s contract hardly breaks the bank ($1.46MM cap hit in 2025, $1.70MM cap hit in 2026), so the Steelers certainly won’t feel any urgency to trade him.
However, that also doesn’t mean other teams won’t come knocking. Washington’s incredible size and skills certainly makes him a worthy gamble, especially if a team is looking for a giant red zone target. If he doesn’t end up working out, a suitor could also consider moving him to the offensive line. There were rumblings that Washington may be destined for an offensive tackle role in the NFL, and Pro Football Focus handed him the sixth-highest run blocking score among TEs in 2024 (he finished 25th for pass blocking).
Sure, Washington isn’t the biggest name, and there will probably be bigger-name tight ends who shake loose over the next few months. Still, not every trade candidate is intended to drive jersey sales. For squads seeking some high-upside tight end depth, Washington certainly warrants consideration.
Of course if Chris Grier had two functioning brain cells he could’ve asked for Washington as part of the trade. But… he doesn’t.
The lack of production…the lack of production…try throwing the damned ball to Washington and see if he doesn’t produce. I also like knowing that his mass is there blocking for…some future franchise QB.
Well he can’t run routes
Don’t need to run routes to catch a ball.
I mean how hard is it to have a 6’7” guy
Line up in the backfield as a fullback do a swing pass or outlet pass on a play action to him and let him go barreling down the field towards DBs?
Ask him to run straight into the zone find a soft spot settle down and make himself open?
But even then you need minimum two routes which are pretty easy.
Rob Gronkowski ran two routes well. Go route and crossing route. His route tree was limited otherwise.
It really isn’t that easy though or other big guys would have done it. Ultimately he’s just a stiff body out there. Gronks game was way more nuanced than you are suggesting
Scheming and QB play does play a part in production. Not like Pitt has had either last what 5 years?
Is it easy? No
But a franchise QB could definitely make a 6’7” dude with speed of a RB size of a swing tackle running down middle of the field have more yards than what’s he’s produced so far this year.
Send him to Eagles
Washington is a totally different type of tight end than Smith. Or Freiermuth for that matter. They’re not redundant. It’s fun to imagine Washington developing much more as a pass catcher, but even if he doesn’t, lJosh Oliver is getting paid a lot of money to be that guy as the second tight end in a very smart offense.
Thats a good summary Oooof. Washington is one of the better TE’s in the league as a blocker in the run game and the Steelers don’t use a fullback anymore so he isn’t going anywhere. Steelers should use him in the passing game more, even if it’s just slipping him out in flat after chipping an edge or DE. No DB wants to see him one on one in the open field. But Jonnu’s arrival pushes Connor Heyward out of the plans, not Darnell.
I’d like to see the Vikings add him as their 3rd tight end. Oliver could help him improve his blocking and the Vikings could be a top 5 rushing offense. JJets might get less triple and double coverage. If not then our rb’s would be able to run for a lot of yards.
I don’t think Pittsburgh needs to trade Washington and I don’t think Minnesota makes much sense if they do. Vikings just extended Oliver and Washington only has two years left on his rookie deal, plus the Vikings need to start hanging onto their draft picks more. And one would think the offensive line investments plus the two tight ends are enough to help the running game from a personnel perspective.
No way I give up on that upside.
More likely freiermuth than Washington