The Steelers paid Darnell Washington above the blocking-tight-end market, because he became more than that

Darnell Washington’s extension is a personnel tell. Pittsburgh agreed to a four-year, $42 million deal with $21 million guaranteed for a tight end whose value starts with size and blocking, and who started catching passes last season too.

The Steelers agreed to terms with Washington on Wednesday night, locking up the 2023 third-round pick who had been due just $3.6 million in 2026. It came a day after Pittsburgh extended fellow 2023 draftee Nick Herbig on a four-year, $100 million deal, part of a deliberate run of extensions with classmates Joey Porter Jr. and Broderick Jones still ahead.

What the money says

At $10.5 million per year, Washington lands around the top 10 among tight ends, but at the very top of the blocking-tight-end tier. For comparison, the Chargers signed Charlie Kolar for $8.1 million per season. The Steelers paid Washington above that bracket because he is, as NFL.com put it, hardly a run-of-the-mill blocking tight end.

The receiving growth is the reason. The 6-foot-7, near-300-pound Georgia product set career highs of 31 catches for 364 yards in 2025 with a touchdown before a Week 17 broken arm ended his season, building a quick rapport with Aaron Rodgers along the way.

The structural value is still the foundation

Washington’s size lets Pittsburgh add a sixth-offensive-lineman profile without leaving the passing game. That helps a run-first approach, and it helps protection: a tight end who can stay attached, chip and leak into space scrambles a defense’s run-pass keys. Rodgers said the development “all but ended any speculation about possibly switching positions to play offensive tackle.” First-year coach Mike McCarthy, reunited with Rodgers after 11 years together in Green Bay, was direct about him: “Love Darnell. He’s been here every day, in the classroom, good student, he’s a pro’s pro.”

Freiermuth’s status sets the order

Pat Freiermuth is entering the final year of the four-year, $48 million extension he signed in 2024, so Washington’s deal sets the hierarchy in the tight end room. Washington is now part of the long-term plan, with Freiermuth’s next contract question sitting in the background.

The offense around him

Rodgers, who threw 25 touchdowns against eight interceptions in leading Pittsburgh to an AFC North title last season, has a rebuilt receiver group with Michael Pittman Jr. (acquired from the Colts), DK Metcalf (traded for the offseason prior) and rookie Germie Bernard. Washington’s extension points to the down-to-down structure underneath them. The Steelers are paying for heavy-personnel flexibility, run-game edges and protection answers, from a tight end who showed last year he can also catch.