Tight end Darnell Washington and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on a four-year, $42 million extension, ESPN reported Wednesday night.
The deal, also announced by the Washington organization, includes $21 million guaranteed and comes a day after the Steelers signed linebacker Nate Herbig, who officially signed his contract Wednesday, to a four-year deal.
Washington (3rd round, No. 93 overall) and Herbig (4th round, No. 132) are each members of Pittsburgh’s 2023 draft class and were entering the final seasons of their rookie deals. Next up could be classmate Joey Porter Jr., a second-round pick, while the status of left tackle Broderick Jones is an even bigger question after the first-year player’s fifth-year option was declined.
Washington is somewhat of a unicorn in this league – a very hulking unicorn at 6-foot-7 and in the neighborhood of 300 pounds.
The 24-year-old has 57 receptions for 625 yards and two touchdowns but has been a huge plus as a defender and is coming off his best season statistically. He had 13 career starts, 31 catches, 364 yards and 16 first downs.
Originally $3.6 million in 2026, Washington has now received his second career contract.
With an average of $10.5 million over the rookie years, Washington is right around the top 10 for tight ends, but the money is very much at the top of those considered blocking tight ends. For example, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Charlie Kolar to a free agent contract that pays him $8.1 million per year.
Washington is hardly your average, run-of-the-mill tight end, so his new money lives up to that.
Teammate and tight end Pat Freiermuth is also entering the final year of his current deal, a four-year, $48 ($12.1 per season) extension signed through 2024.