When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for Jonnu Smith ahead of the start of training camp, they had visions of pairing him with Pat Freiermuth to form a lethal 1-2 combination at tight end for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Instead, third-year pro Darnell Washington has emerged as the Steelers’ best tight end.
Dating back to the Week 4 game in Dublin, Washington has out-snapped Freiermuth and Smith in three of the five games. Though he didn’t out-snap Freiermuth or Smith on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in the Steelers’ 27-20 win, Washington was more productive and a larger focal point of the offense, particularly in the passing game.
That has longtime Steelers reporter and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly believing Washington’s role within the Steelers’ offense is now crystal clear.
“He’s TE1 now, baby,” Kaboly said on the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show Monday.
Though Washington played just 26 snaps Sunday, trailing Smith’s 37 snaps and Freiermuth’s 29 snaps, Washington was tied for the team lead in targets with six, and finished second on the team in receptions with four for 43 yards in the win.
After the win over the Colts, quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated that when Washington is on the field, the offense is better.
“I just love his attitude when he’s on the field,” Rodgers said Sunday via the Steelers’ YouTube. “When 80’s on the field, we’re a better offense. So I’m really proud of his effort every single week.”
It’s hard to deny that at this point. Washington is a great blocker in the run game, serving as almost an extra offensive lineman with his size and strength. He’s able to create movement in the run game, and his presence also gives the Steelers the versatility to pass out of 12, 13 and even jumbo package, due to his athleticism and hands.
He’s 300-plus pounds and is thriving.
“I’ve heard some people now say social-media wise that he needs to drop by 25 pounds. No this is, this is what you want from Darnell,” Kaboly said. “This is who he is.”
Washington showed who he is again on Sunday.
He had one heck of a catch across the middle on the afternoon, reaching behind him in traffic to make the grab.
Though things didn’t start out well with Washington being unable to come down with a pass in the end zone with the smaller Kenny Moore II on him and then failing to get his head around quickly on a slant on fourth down, leading to a turnover on downs, Washington proved his worth once again late in the game.
He’s gaining the trust each and every week from Rodgers, and he’s becoming a key focal point of the offense. Washington now has 13 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown on the season and also added a two-point conversion earlier in the season, too.
With Smith struggling to truly have the impact many expected within the offense and Freiermuth coming on slowly but surely, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Washington finishes the year with the most snaps at the TE position for the Steelers. He’s a major part of the offensive attack, and is starting to be unlocked in the passing game.
That sounds quite a bit like a TE1 in today’s game.
Recommended for you