Darnell Washington

Washington is the clear TE2 behind Pat Freiermuth (re-signed/restructured) in a pass-game crowded by DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, and Germie Bernard, capping his realistic target share. His 2025 line (31-364) and 5.7 PPG / TE#40 finish reflect a blocking-first role.

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 (value 1982) and Jonnu Smith (value 1507) 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.

New HC Mike McCarthy's offense reportedly leans shotgun and wide with 11-personnel, which historically reduces the snap counts and route trees for traditional inline blocking TEs like Washington. Volume ceiling shrinks structurally if the scheme commits to spread formations around DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard.

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.

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.

New OC Brian Angelichio spent four years as the Vikings' tight ends coach and passing game coordinator before this promotion. His track record developing TEs in the passing game is a genuine schematic tailwind for Washington's receiving role development.

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.