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Steelers’ Darnell Washington Emerges as Dual-Threat Tight End

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Darnell Washington Pittsburgh Steelers Tight End

PITTSBURGH – Darnell Washington, the 6-foot-7, 300-pound tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is turning heads with his potential to excel in multiple roles. Known for his robust run-blocking skills, Washington showcased his unique versatility during a recent win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Washington played a season-high 48 snaps in that game, contributing to a resurgence in the Steelers’ run game. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith draws parallels between Washington and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, highlighting his size and agility. “Throw it to Shaq in the post,” Smith remarked, emphasizing Washington’s ability to box out defenders.

In the same game against the Vikings, Washington caught three passes for 20 yards, demonstrating his effectiveness as a pass-catcher. His contributions led tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith to see limited action, causing some to question how the team will utilize its tight end depth moving forward.

“We had a fantastic game, and we won the game, so I was super pumped for Darnell and Spence,” said Freiermuth, referring to offensive lineman Spencer Anderson, who also saw time at tight end. The Steelers’ coaching staff opted for a heavier lineup to boost their running game, allowing Washington and Anderson to shine.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is exploring the idea of regularly incorporating heavier personnel in future matchups. The team’s recent offensive performance suggests that maintaining a physical presence could greatly impact their passing game as well.

“We have a heavy tight end as it is anyways. He’s bigger than most of the linemen,” said offensive line coach Pat Meyer. “We saw something with that team where we could go heavier and build off of that.”

As the Steelers move forward, their strategy surrounding Washington’s role remains open to adjustments. The success of the jumbo package could define their offensive approach in the coming weeks.