The Pittsburgh Steelers extended their second 2023 draft pick in as many days Wednesday, this time reaching an agreement with tight end Darnell Washington on a four-year, $42 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
The supersized tight end had a career-high 364 yards on 31 catches (43 targets) with Aaron Rodgers in 2025. He has a touchdown catch in each of the past two seasons.
Thanks to his 6-foot-7, near-300-pound frame, Washington has been used as a big red zone target in Pittsburgh, but the former Georgia player also has shown an ability to overpower defenders in space.
"Love Darnell," first-year Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday. "He's been here every day, classroom, good student. He's a pros pro. I've been very, very impressed with him. ... Year 1, as you get to know your players, there's certain schemes you may tilt one way or the other, variations of schemes. And definitely we've been doing that with our tight ends, and he's a big part of that reason."
Washington, a third-round selection, joins outside linebacker Nick Herbig as members of the Steelers' 2023 draft class -- Omar Khan's first as general manager -- to secure extensions this offseason.
"I'd love to keep that whole class here," Herbig said after officially signing his four-year, $100 million extension Wednesday. "I think we got a bunch of dogs in there. I'm excited. I think some things [are] going to happen. I hope so. Keeanu Benton is a dog. He's definitely one of the best in the league. ... I want to play my whole career with that guy. And me and Joey [Porter Jr.] developed a great bond. He's a dog, too. We need a lockdown corner, Peezy Island. Darnell is a freak of nature. He's like a monster. So definitely need Darnell back. Spencer [Anderson] is a dog, too. We still got [Broderick Jones]. We got dogs all across the board."
Though they declined the fifth-year option on Jones in part because of an uncertain outlook after a season-ending neck injury, the Steelers have expressed their desire to extend a number of their 2023 picks, including Benton and fellow second-rounder pick Porter, a cornerback.
