Darnell Washington showing why Steelers need to get him more involved

Val Dewar

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Darnell Washington showing why Steelers need to get him more involved image

© Christine Tannous/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Darnell Washington stiff-arms a Colt in the Steelers' loss on Sunday.

One of the more unique athletes in the National Football League, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington was utilized almost entirely as a blocker in his rookie year out of Georgia.

The Steelers fielded him in all seventeen games in 2023, but he was only targeted with a pass 10 times, catching seven for 61 yards and four first downs, but no touchdowns.

That is fine for a rookie backup tight end, but he impressed in other ways. His huge frame — akin more to that of an offensive tackle than many tight ends — helped him go toe-to-toe with edge rushers, especially in run-blocking, and Washington often won the battle. 

It even got to the point where fans have said, both jokingly and not-so-jokingly, that Darnell may have to play right tackle this season with the injuries and mistakes the offensive line has been making. 

In the game against Denver in Week 2 this season, Washington had his number drawn up for a crucial play. He was split out wide like an X receiver, and the Broncos rotated their strong safety out to meet him in press man coverage. 

PJ Locke never even got close. He found himself matched up with a man nine inches taller and sixty pounds heavier than him. All Justin Fields had to do was deliver a good ball, and he was nigh unstoppable, as Locke could not even get through the body of Mt. Washington, let alone reach the end of his gargantuan wingspan.

That play demonstrated a hint of what the former Georgia Bulldog can do in the passing game. However, against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4 he was arguably more impressive by making more difficult receptions, and in particular running after the catch.

Steelers fans are beginning to get excited about Washington seeing increased responsibilities for good reason; he is making a good case for playing time with his play so far in the young 2024 NFL season, but it was always only a matter of time. 

When a player is so big they get nicknamed Mt. Washington but they can run a 4.65 second 40-yard dash, he is just too athletic to take off the field for long. 

Let's hope Arthur Smith can dial up some more plays in the end zone that make use of his height, or in the open field where he can be an outlet for Justin Fields and continue to stiff-arm defenders into the turf.

Val Dewar

Val Dewar Photo

Val was initiated into Steelers Nation from the moment he was born — his first memory is a game vs. New England from when "Slash" was QB — and doing sports writing has always been a dream career for him. In 2022 he broke into the industry by writing about combat sports for Cageside Press, and now has the opportunity to continue that work with TSN as an MMA writer, as well as get his feet wet on the Steelers beat.