In sport’s slowest day of the offseason, much of the conversation is academic and hypothetical. Like which Pittsburgh Steelers could command a first round pick in a mock trade. Or, setting conventional names aside, who could be the Steelers’ surprise MVP candidate? Good Morning Football attempted the latter with analyst Isaiah Stanback making his pick.
“I’m gonna go with the big fella out there in Pittsburgh, the tight end. Darnell Washington,” Stanback said.
The aim was to pick an MVP candidate who would surprise instead of usual suspects like QB Aaron Rodgers. Still, choosing Washington is a lofty prediction. Introduced in 1969, only once has a Steelers’ tight end ever won team MVP. That came in 2012 when Heath Miller took home the award after an excellent year in which he led the offense in receptions (71) and tied for the team-lead in touchdowns (eight).
Washington is coming off a personal career year but still only caught 31 passes for 364 yards and one touchdown. His production would need to double to even approach MVP discussion, and that’s unlikely to occur.
If any tight end could win it, it’d be Pat Freiermuth. An offense friendlier to him could return Freiermuth to his usual numbers of about 60 receptions for 650 yards and several end zone trips.
Stanback offered little commentary beyond his prediction, though he repeated the erroneous idea that Washington is back down to his NFL Combine weight of 264 pounds. Teammate JJ Galbreath noted Washington weighed 320 pounds in the spring with the goal of reaching 300 no later than Week One. Stanback did note Pittsburgh’s offensive structure could be favorable to Washington.
“He is gonna be a terror in the middle of that offense,” he said. “They have two big time receivers now. The middle of that is gonna be wide open for him to get the ball from Aaron Rodgers.”
Stanback is referring to DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. Their size will present matchup problems on the outside while Washington’s large frame will do the same between the numbers.
Offensively, other surprise MVPs could include Rico Dowdle. Defensively, a rebound season from T.J. Watt could put him back in the running. Joey Porter Jr. might enter the conversation with a couple of interceptions that have eluded him throughout his football career.
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