Something special is happening in Pittsburgh, and it’s not just the usual preseason optimism echoing through training camp. Under the scorching lights of a late-summer night practice at Saint Vincent College, tight end Darnell Washington just served notice to the rest of the NFL—and did it by humbling some of the Steelers’ most feared defenders. In a battle that was meant to be routine, Washington turned a standard team session into a ferocious proving ground, where even perennial All-Pro T.J. Watt looked human. The echoes of bodies colliding and the gasps from onlooking fans told the tale of something far more meaningful than a practice rep—it was a declaration of arrival.
The 6’7”, 270-pound second-year tight end has been touted as a physical marvel since he entered the league. But until recently, most of his impact was confined to flashes—impressive moments buried within a run-heavy role or overshadowed by other weapons. That’s no longer the case. Washington isn’t just turning heads in camp; he’s making defenders question their own strength. His duel with Watt in particular—a man widely regarded as one of the most tenacious and disruptive edge rushers in football—was the moment everyone realized Darnell isn’t just here to compete. He’s here to dominate.
It started subtly, with Washington asserting himself in blocking drills. His long arms locked onto defenders like grappling hooks, and his base seemed unshakeable. Linebackers bounced off him. Edge rushers got redirected. But it wasn’t until 11-on-11s started under the lights that things escalated. Watt, as intense in practice as he is on Sundays, came crashing off the edge—only to be stoned cold by Washington in one of the cleanest one-on-one pickups seen this camp. Coaches and teammates let out a chorus of “oohs,” while Watt, momentarily frustrated, had to collect himself before jogging back to the huddle. One rep? Maybe a fluke. But it happened again. And again. And again.
Observers, including former players on-site, remarked that it’s rare—if not unheard of—for a tight end to neutralize Watt in full pads, even in isolated matchups. Washington’s technique wasn’t just refined—it was violent. Controlled violence, the kind that turns respect into fear. He wasn’t just absorbing contact; he was initiating it, dictating tempo, and making one of the most athletic defensive units in the league adjust to him. When Watt finally got around him on an inside stunt, Washington chased him down from the side and flattened him into the turf with a clean shoulder bump that sent audible gasps through the crowd. That’s when the sideline erupted—not with taunting or gloating, but stunned silence followed by respect-filled roars.
What makes this performance even more remarkable is that Washington isn’t just making noise as a blocker. His receiving game, once considered the weakest part of his arsenal, has evolved rapidly. Kenny Pickett has begun to rely on him as a bailout option on broken plays. In one particular snap during the same night session, Washington ran a delayed corner route, boxing out Minkah Fitzpatrick and hauling in a perfectly-placed ball in the end zone, dragging both feet as he tumbled to the grass. That was the punctuation mark on a practice that no one in attendance will soon forget.
Teammates like George Pickens and Najee Harris commented afterward that Washington’s mentality has shifted since his rookie year. Harris noted, “He ain’t trying to be cute with it. Darnell’s out here trying to bury people.” Pickens, with his usual fire, added, “If he keeps playing like that, we might need to make him our left tackle and tight end at the same time.” Even Watt himself, to his credit, acknowledged Washington’s growth. “He’s big, he’s mean, and he’s learning fast,” Watt said, adding a sly grin. “I like that. We need that. He makes us better.”
The Steelers have long been known for physicality, for grit, for treating every rep like war. And for decades, that identity has been shaped by dominant defensive units and an unrelenting front seven. What Washington is doing, however, is flipping the script. He’s forcing Pittsburgh’s defense—their greatest historical strength—to recognize a new enforcer among them, one that happens to play on the other side of the ball. That’s not just valuable—it’s culture-shifting.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who’s known for building smashmouth systems, has already found ways to expand Washington’s role in new formations. Dual-tight end sets featuring Washington and Pat Freiermuth are being toyed with, but it’s clear that Washington’s emergence might demand he stays on the field even more than anticipated. His ability to seal the edge, chip and release, or take over in short-yardage situations gives the offense layers it didn’t possess last year. And now, with added confidence, he’s becoming vocal—calling out alignments, demanding more reps, and mentoring younger players in the TE room like he’s a five-year vet.
Fans watching from the hillside at Latrobe couldn’t believe what they were seeing. There were audible chants for Washington after the scrimmage period ended, with children screaming for autographs and older fans muttering comparisons to former Steelers greats. For an organization that cherishes lineage, being mentioned in the same breath as Heath Miller or Mark Bruener is no small thing. But Washington isn’t looking to follow anyone’s legacy. He’s carving his own, with each pancake block and contested catch forging a new chapter in Steelers lore.
There’s a hunger in his eyes that wasn’t as visible last year. Perhaps it’s the disappointment of limited usage in 2023, or the chip on his shoulder from being labeled as “just a blocker.” Whatever it is, that fire is now burning bright—and it’s contagious. The offensive line has taken notice, matching his energy in run fits. Defensive backs are tightening up in one-on-one coverage drills, knowing full well that Pickett might look Washington’s way at any moment. Even Mike Tomlin, typically measured in his praise, gave Washington a rare nod. “He’s playing grown-man football,” Tomlin said. “And that’s exactly what we expect here in Pittsburgh.”
Steelers insiders believe Washington’s rise could also open up the offense for others. With defensive fronts forced to account for his blocking and linebackers needing help in coverage, guys like Freiermuth and Diontae Johnson should see more favorable matchups. Najee Harris could benefit from cleaner lanes. And Kenny Pickett? He finally gets a security blanket who can maul in the trenches and win jump balls in traffic. That’s the kind of versatility that transforms offenses—not just on paper, but in cold, hard AFC North weather come December.
In many ways, Washington’s ascension is poetic. A city built on toughness and tradition may have just found its newest gladiator. And in the gladiatorial arena of Latrobe, under those unforgiving practice lights, he didn’t just show flashes—he showed fire, dominance, and most importantly, consistency.
As the night wore on and practice concluded, Darnell Washington walked off the field with grass stains on his jersey and sweat dripping from his brow. But his head was high, his shoulders square, and the message had already been sent to the locker room, the coaching staff, and the league: he’s no longer a project. He’s a problem.
And when you start pancaking T.J. Watt in practice, the rest of the NFL better start preparing now—because Sundays in Pittsburgh are about to get a whole lot nastier.
