Darnell Washington may emerge as the Steelers' primary tight end in the near future, with a five-year contract securing his place on the roster. Both Washington and Pat Freiermuth are locked in through 2028, leading to questions about their roles as Freiermuth ages into his 30s. Washington played nearly 60% of offensive snaps last year and is determined to enhance his receiving skills, having caught 31 passes for 364 yards in 2022. The Steelers have options for utilizing both tight ends in their evolving offensive strategy. Concerns remain about Washington's potential ceiling and whether he can become a top-tier tight end in terms of production.

By the Numbers
  • Darnell Washington caught 31 passes on 43 targets for 364 yards last season.
  • Pat Freiermuth has a compensation package of $10 million for the 2027 season, and then roughly $8.5 million in 2028.
Yes, But

While Washington shows promise, doubts persist regarding his ability to consistently achieve over 500 yards and multiple touchdowns each season, raising questions about defining a top-end tight end role.

State of Play
  • The Steelers have two talented tight ends under contract through 2028, which allows for flexibility in their offensive strategy.
  • Current coaching staff are exploring ways to integrate Washington more deeply into the offensive schemes.
What's Next

The Steelers are likely to continue evaluating how Washington can thrive as both a receiver and a blocker, potentially leading to a two-tight-end offense strategy in the coming seasons.

Bottom Line

With two strong tight ends under contract, the Steelers face important decisions on role allocation, especially as Freiermuth approaches the latter stages of his career. Washington's development could shape the team's future offensive identity.