If there’s one thing that has been crystal clear for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, it’s that Darnell Washington is TE1.
Even with all of the money invested in Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith, Washington is the Steelers’ best tight end, both as blocker and now as a pass catcher, too.
Taking on the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, it was expected that Freiermuth would probably have another big game against a team he tends to dominate. After all, he had five receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 7 Thursday Night Football matchup.
This time though, it was Washington’s turn to be a force in the passing game.
Along with a stunning highlight-reel catch and run, Washington had a career-best 67 receiving yards on four catches in the win over the Bengals. He was also a standout blocker for the Black and Gold, putting together arguably the best game of his career.
Washington played 46 snaps offensively and graded out at an 87.5 overall from Pro Football Focus. He hauled in four of his five targets, and 58 of his 67 receiving yards came after the catch. On top of his efforts as a receiver, Washington was impactful as a run blocker, helping the Steelers control the line of scrimmage.
Let’s dive into the film room.
Washington wasn’t asked to do much as a receiver as far as route running, but he put himself into positions to catch the ball and turn upfield with space. With his size, that is very problematic for defenders.
On his second target of the game and first catch, Washington took a short checkdown from Aaron Rodgers and rumbled 17 yards, hurdling a defensive back in the process. A 6-7 tight end weighing more than 300 pounds shouldn’t be able to do that.
That hurdle set the tone and gave Washington more confidence in the passing game. Because on his next target, he went nuclear.
Nice little mesh concept here with DK Metcalf coming from the other side of the formation. It doesn’t really do anything, but Washington is able to create just enough separation and Rodgers hits him in stride across the middle.
After the catch, Washington just bullies a trio of Bengals defenders. First up is rookie linebacker Barrett Carter, who gets bounced off the turf after a violent Washington stiff-arm.
Safety Geno Stone tries to cut him down, but Washington rumbles right through him, maintaining his footing. Then Washington caps the highlight-reel run with power, plowing through cornerback DJ Turner II, sending him flying into the Steelers’ sideline.
Washington stares down the man he sent into another dimension, just for good measure. If that doesn’t win Kyle Brandt’s Angry Runs segment on Good Morning Football, something is wrong.
Later in the game, with Mason Rudolph at quarterback, Washington struck again after the catch.
Again, just a simple checkdown from the quarterback on a third and long. Washington does the rest.
After chipping the pass rusher to give Broderick Jones some help, Washington releases out into his route and catches the short throw near midfield. Once he turns upfield he has a full head of steam, which has to be nightmare fuel for defenders.
Just like he did on the 31-yard rumble, Washington leaves destruction in his wake. Washington drags Stone a good seven yards and steps through a tackle attempt from Dax Hill, picking up the first down and igniting the Steelers’ sideline.
He was a legitimate weapon in the passing game and should be utilized even more moving forward. He’s a size mismatch, and he’s as strong as an ox in the open field.
Washington was impressive as a blocker, too.
Watch him just toss aside the Bengals defensive end with ease on this zone run in the jumbo package.
The run only goes for three yards, but Washington won quickly on his block and showed serious torque to toss the defensive end aside.
Later, he lands a nice combo block on the outside, blasting rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. while climbing to the second level and springing Jaylen Warren for a nice gain.
It’s all just so natural for Washington. It’s why many believe he should transition to offensive tackle at some point in his career. It would make sense for him to do it, but the matchup nightmare he is at tight end, and the ability to run after the catch while still being a dominant in-line blocking tight end is a lethal combination.
He’s basically an extra offensive lineman, and the work he does in the run game is a huge boost for Pittsburgh.
Nice seal here on the defensive end, giving Warren the corner to get upfield in a hurry.
It helps that the defensive end tries to attack inside, but Washington has the ability to not only reach him with his footwork but still land the block, sticking to it to give Warren the edge.
Washington’s impact isn’t just in line as a blocker, either.
Serving as the blocker out front on this swing pass to Kenneth Gainwell, Washington lands a blow to Bengals defensive back D.J. Ivey.
The hit knocks Ivey off balance and actually takes out a second Cincinnati defender, leaving Gainwell 1-on-1 in space. He nearly breaks through for the explosive play. Washington has a nice finish on the rep, too, burying Ivey into the ground for good measure.
It was a terrific day for Washington as he continues to build on a breakout year. Hopefully there is more work in the passing game moving forward for him. He’s terrifying to deal with after the catch and can bully box defenders as a blocker.
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