Report: Steelers Give Darnell Washington A Massive Extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers had heard rumblings that tight end Darnell Washington may not have been thrilled after seeing the money given out to Nick Herbig on Tuesday. It was not that he was upset to see his 2023 draft class teammate get extended, but rather that it is a business and there is only so much money to go around. The Steelers still have critical decisions to make on several key players from that draft class. 

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly hinted that Washington thought he was not going to get extended and did not speak to the media on Tuesday. Things changed quickly, however, and by Wednesday night the Steelers went ahead and got a deal done with Washington. According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Steelers guaranteed $21 million to Washington and agreed to a four-year deal worth $42 million.

"The Steelers and tight end Darnell Washington have reached agreement on a four-year, $42M extension, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler," Schefter said. "The deal includes $21M guaranteed."

Whenever the Steelers drafted Washington in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, there was an immediate belief that his rare size would be a major asset in the blocking game. At the same time, many pundits wondered what he could look like if he ever received more opportunities in the passing attack.

It is not often that a defense has to try to tackle a 6-foot-7, 300-plus-pound tight end coming downhill in space. In fact, during the 2025 season and in glimpses prior, Washington showed that once he gets the ball in his hands, he is extremely difficult for opposing defenses to bring down.

Many have also wondered what the outcome might have been in the postseason had Washington not gotten hurt later in the year. In 2026, he will return with added motivation to prove he is worth every cent the Steelers committed to him.

The general reaction among Steeler Nation seems to be excitement that Washington is back, mixed with some debate over the size of the contract for a tight end who had only been targeted 78 times through his first three seasons. However, in 2025, with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback, he began to emerge more as a receiving threat. Washington caught 31 of 43 targets for 364 yards and one touchdown.

Steelers Make Significant Investments Heading Into 2026

While those are not earth-shattering numbers, the hope is that his blocking value combined with his growing role in the passing game justifies his contract. Many Steelers fans feel it is a significant investment, but also appreciate having one of the most unique and exciting physical talents in the NFL locked in for the foreseeable future.

The Steelers have remained active in contract talks and are not expected to be done, as cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will also command a major extension. Steelers fans will remain curious to see what price tag they will have to pay for Porter next. Couple that with the $100 million four-year extension they just handed Herbig, and the 2023 draft class is starting to get expensive. That is usually a good problem to have, since it means you drafted well and developed talent worth paying.