The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a four-year contract extension with tight end Darnell Washington that will keep him under contract in Pittsburgh through 2030, according to a report by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
The four-year deal has $42 million in new money, for an average annual value of $10.5 million per season, and has $21 million in guarantees.
The 6-foot-7 and over 300-pound Washington has been a stellar blocker since he first joined the Steelers out of Georgia in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft , and he has grown as a receiver in each of his three pro seasons.
Last year, he set career highs with 43 targets, 31 receptions, 364 yards and one touchdown, an average of 8.5 yards per target and 11.7 yards per touch.
Blocking tight ends have been high demand around the NFL lately, with players such as Josh Oliver of the Minnesota Vikings and John Bates of the Washington Commanders getting high-dollar free agent contracts despite being nearly exclusively used as blockers.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington and Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy on Nov. 17, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
There was also a large run on blocking tight ends in the middle of the 2026 NFL Draft, and it's a trend that Washington has noticed.
"When offenses can run the ball, it opens up play action, or whatever," Washington said after practice on Wednesday, before agreeing to his new deal. "It pretty much opens up the pass. So I think every offense should have one of each or whatever their number is. I like it."
Under his new deal, Washington will slot behind fellow Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth , who makes an average of $12.1 million per year on his current deal. The $10.5 million average annual value will make Washington the 12th-highest paid tight end in the NFL.
Washington still has one season remaining on his rookie contract, and had been set to earn $3.897 million in 2026.
Washington is the fourth Steelers player to earn a contract extension this offseason and the second member of the team's 2023 NFL Draft class to sign a second contract, following Cam Heyward , Chris Boswell and draft-mate Nick Herbig .
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : BREAKING: Steelers Agree to Long-Term Contract Extension with TE Darnell Washington
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