Darnell Washington

Jonnu Smith was acquired mid-2025 and emerged as the primary receiving TE threat. With limited pre-injury volume and now three-TE rotation, Washington faces significant target share competition heading into 2026.

Washington suffered a broken arm requiring surgery in Week 17 (Dec 2025) and was placed on injured reserve. Recovery timeline for bone fractures is typically 3-4 months; unclear if he'll be healthy/explosive for 2026 training camp.

Washington suffered a fractured forearm in Week 17 (December 28, 2025) requiring surgery and was placed on IR. With a typical 5-6 week recovery timeline, he faces uncertainty regarding full health and explosiveness for 2026 training camp in late July.

Washington competes with Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith in a crowded TE room. Smith was acquired mid-2025 and the depth chart showed Freiermuth-Smith as co-starters, leaving Washington as a rotational blocker with minimal receiving upside.

Pat Freiermuth is locked in on a 4-year, $48.4M extension and is explicitly 'not available' in trade talks. Washington is a clear #2 TE in this room, and McCarthy's preference for 3WR base sets structurally limits two-TE deployment volume.

At 24.4 years old, Washington is entering his athletic prime for a TE. His physical tools (size, athleticism) remain elite, and improved opportunity could unlock significant upside as Freiermuth ages out.

Brian Angelichio (Vikings TE coach) is now the offensive coordinator. His TE coaching pedigree could increase Washington's receiving opportunities if the new scheme emphasizes vertical passing and mismatches—a sharp contrast to Tomlin's conservative approach.

Pre-injury data showed Washington receiving 66% of snap share due to elite blocking + receiving ability. If McCarthy's system devalues the Jonnu Smith acquisition and leans on two-TE looks, Washington could reclaim snap lead despite broken arm recovery.

Despite Pro Bowl 2024, Jonnu Smith averaged just 6.3 yards per reception in 2025 (career-low) and was criticized as a failed experiment. If Pittsburgh cuts him to save cap space, Washington could absorb vacated snaps and targets.

The Steelers released Jonnu Smith and lost Connor Heyward to Las Vegas in free agency, collapsing a three-man TE logjam into a clean Freiermuth + Washington 1A/1B structure. Washington now owns the clear path to all secondary TE snaps and two-TE package usage.

Pittsburgh released Jonnu Smith and lost Connor Heyward (Raiders), leaving Washington as the unquestioned No. 2 TE and the primary beneficiary if Freiermuth misses time. Only blocking-type R5 rookie Riley Nowakowski was added behind him.