Darnell Washington is a massive human being. The 23-year-old tight end is so large that the Pittsburgh Steelers are considering a position change.
It might be time to put him on the offensive line!
As things currently stand, Washington will still be used as a pass-catcher. However, he remains open to whatever opportunity will allow him to remain in the NFL for the most amount of time possible.
Who is Darnell Washington?
Hailing from the University of Georgia, Washington was drafted into the league with the No. 93 overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He played each of his first two years with the Steelers as the backup to Pat Freiermuth and caught 25 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown.
They mostly used him as a blocker as a sixth offensive lineman. Especially for the run.
Pittsburgh decided not to keep that same one-two rotation for 2025. It added Jonnu Smith to the offense during the offseason to support Aaron Rodgers for what we all expect to be his swan song.
How big is he?
With Darnell Washington now as the third man out, the Steelers are contemplating a change. They might move him to the offensive line at some point in the future. He is open to it.
“Personally, I feel like I can [make that transition], but right now, I’m a tight end,” Washington said. “So I’m gonna focus on that. Later on down the road or any time in the road, if they ask me to do that, I’m gonna still do my best ability. I’m gonna do it. I’m focused on the tight end role until I can’t or whenever my time’s up. I’m an open-minded dude.”
Based only on size, it would be a seamless transition. Washington is listed on the roster at 6-foot-7, 264 pounds but I would imagine he is actually closer to 275. The tight end group looks minuscule at his side.
He looks right at home alongside the offensive line.
We’ll see how things unfold over the next few weeks.
Not going anywhere, for now…
Although Washington is open to a position change if called upon, he wants to play tight end for as long as he can. Don’t let him loose!
Big man movin’ 💨@_Dwfootball11 | @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/HyHGYugzzZ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 7, 2025
He is a cheat code in goal-line situations.
Aaron Rodgers lobs it up to Darnell Washington for a TD at #Steelers training camp! 👀🙌 pic.twitter.com/oNaHRc0ws6
— Steelers Update (@SteelersUpdate1) August 4, 2025
I don’t know how defensive backs are supposed to defend him on a jump ball to the end zone.
This is a full-sized football:
You do not want to get in Washington’s way if he is coming down the tracks.
Wait for it.. how Darnell Washington did it different #Steelers camp pic.twitter.com/ro79dp6GEr
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) August 5, 2025
Get out of his way or get run over!
Blocking sleds absolutely hate to see him coming.
Blocking sleds absolutely HATE to see Darnell Washington coming. pic.twitter.com/rLx9tQkNOW
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) July 31, 2025
I hope the Steelers keep Darnell Washington at tight end. It may not be a bad idea to get him on the line but it is not nearly as fun. And they can just throw him out there as the de facto sixth lineman anyway! Why change a good thing?