Grading the extension: Steelers continue trend of paying backups after signing Darnell Washington to eye-popping extension
A day after signing Nick Herbig to a $100m contract extension, the Pittsburgh Steelers added Darnell Washington to the list of players on the extension list. Was it a smart decision? We grade the Steelers’ latest move.
A few weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers had five players heading into 2026 on expiring deals. Chris Boswell, Nick Herbig, and Darnell Washington all have received extensions, with Keeanu Benton and Joey Porter Jr. believed to be in the works.
At the surface level, the four big deals the Steelers have signed this year are a 42-year-old, going on 43-year-old quarterback, a kicker, a backup pass rusher, and a tight end No.2. But outside of the Rodgers deal, all of those players are viewed as pillars for the future, and Darnell Washington is no different.
Darnell Washington 2025 stats
- 31 receptions.
- 364 receiving yards.
- 1 receiving touchdowns.
Steelers sign Darnell Washington to a four-year contract extension
“The Steelers and tight end Darnell Washington have reached an agreement on a four-year, $42M extension, per sources. The deal includes $21M guaranteed.” – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN (via Twitter-X)
I can see how people would say “boy, the Steelers are spending a lot of money on non-premium positions and or backups,” but the context matters here with Washington. Beyond the fact that he’s become a better pass catcher year over year in terms of route running, he has become an extension of the Steelers’ run game.
At 6-7 and over 300 pounds (311 to be exact per him), Washington is a de facto offensive tackle who just so happens to be able to run routes and serve as a redzone threat down the field. But what’s very interesting to me is that the Steelers, under the direction of Mike McCarthy and a new offense, are still very interested in what Washington can be.
Mike McCarthy has an obvious interest in Darnell Washington
Those heavy tight end sets were largely tied to Arthur Smith’s scheme, whereas the Steelers, under the direction of Mike McCarthy, will be going to a West Coast system that employs a lot more 11 personnel.
But what’s obvious by the extension is that the Steelers still have a plan to use Washington. Maybe that’s primarily as a blocker, but Washington figures to be a key feature nonetheless.
Final grade for Darnell Washington extension: A
To be able to lock down a pillar of the 2023 draft class, who plays a valuable role, and pay him less than Pat Freiermuth, that feels like a real win in my book. The details prove that the Steelers and Washington both got what they wanted.