Very few football players make it to the NFL, but even fewer are fortunate enough to make it to their first big contract extension. Darnell Washington’s life changed forever on June 4th when the Pittsburgh Steelers gave him a four-year extension worth $42 million.
“It was cool. Obviously friends, family reach out, all that good stuff. But I can’t really explain it. It is like a dream come true,” Washington said on Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast. “They say making it to the league is a dream come true, but also getting that second contract is another dream come true. So just blessed that I got that. It’s been cool just spending time with family and really just keep grinding.”
At $10.5 million APY, Washington became the 12th highest paid player at his position, but his situation is one of a kind among that elite group. Most tight ends that get paid that much are elite receiving threats with a track record of having stat lines that would give wide receivers a run for their money. Washington has continually grown into his receiving role, but is at his best when he’s in-line blocking as an extra offensive lineman.
At 6-7, 311 pounds last year, Washington is bigger than some offensive lineman, but still athletic enough to run routes and reliably catch the ball. Once the ball is in his hands, he’s a significant problem for opposing defenses. Just ask half of the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive roster — a group he victimized last season during one of the league’s most viral plays of the 2025 season.
Just look at what the rest of the league did during the 2026 NFL Draft. There was a significant run on tight ends—especially those who can block well—as the league cycles back toward 12 and 13 personnel. Washington is the archetype that every team is looking for.
Omar Khan said during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine that if he could have 20 Darnell Washingtons on the roster, he would take them. He’s a unique threat for defenses to deal with, and he will be Pittsburgh’s secret weapon for at least five more seasons.
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