Mike McCarthy doubles down on Darnell Washington after Steelers extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped a key offseason storyline last week by extending tight end Darnell Washington, and the early message from the coaching staff has been clear. In his first full stretch leading the program, new head coach Mike McCarthy described Washington as a unique fit for the kind of offense he wants to run, praising his blocking, preparation, and ability to create problems for defenses.

According to coverage of McCarthy’s comments during OTAs, the coach singled out Washington’s size and versatility, noting that Washington can line up next to the tackle and help block defensive ends. McCarthy also framed Washington as more than a traditional receiving tight end, calling him “a complete Y tight end” and emphasizing what that personnel shape allows, including greater flexibility for an under-center style of attack.

Washington has been trending upward in both his role and his production. In 2025, he set career highs in receptions and receiving yardage, finishing with 31 catches for 364 yards on 43 targets, figures cited in Steelers-side reporting around the extension. The contract extension matters because it rewards that development while reducing the odds that the Steelers must reshuffle the tight end position again during a major coaching transition.

The extension itself ties Washington to the franchise through the 2030 season, with reporting describing a four-year deal worth up to $42 million. ESPN, among other outlets, reported that the Steelers and Washington reached agreement on a multi-year extension, underscoring that this was more than a token raise. The deal also functions as a piece of stability as Pittsburgh works to fully integrate McCarthy’s approach to offense.

McCarthy’s praise was not limited to what Washington does on the field. During OTAs, he pointed to Washington’s consistency in practice participation and the way he carries himself in meetings. The comments, as reported, included McCarthy saying Washington has been “a pro,” with attention to detail and a work ethic that has stood out to his staff.

At 6-foot-7 and well over 300 pounds, Washington’s baseline value has long been as a blocker, and that appears to remain the foundation of how Pittsburgh intends to use him. has previously described Washington’s ability to serve as a supporting piece in the protection and formation concepts Pittsburgh wants to deploy, including the idea that his presence can help create schematic advantages against the defensive front.

What to watch next is whether the Steelers’ 2026 offensive plan leans more heavily into the under-center, tight formations McCarthy highlighted, and whether Washington’s targets and production rise in step with that usage. If Pittsburgh is able to keep defenses honest with both protection and downfield play, the tight end becomes a central part of the week-to-week matchup calculus. For now, the extension and McCarthy’s early coaching comments point to Washington being treated as a long-term building block, not a placeholder.

The roster context matters as well. Tight ends who function as blockers and also provide receiving mismatches are particularly valuable as coaching staffs try to balance play-action runs, quick game passes, and pressure-heavy defensive looks. Washington’s new contract suggests Pittsburgh believes it has that combination, and the coming training camp reps should reveal how much of the offense is built around featuring him.