Pittsburgh extended the second member of their 2023 draft class this week with a four-year deal.
Sometimes, a strong draft class can really build the foundation and future of a team, and that’s what the Pittsburgh Steelers believe they did with a lasting 2023 draft class. They secured their second extension from that group in two days as the franchise solidifies its core, locking up tight end Darnell Washington on a four-year, $42 million deal. The extension will have $21 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Washington was selected by the Steelers No. 93 overall in the third round in 2023, which was the first class for Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan. It’s the second big extension for that class after awarding a four-year, $100 million deal to outside linebacker Nick Herbig earlier this week.
It comes after a career year for Washington, who clicked with quarterback Aaron Rodgers to notch a career-high 364 yards on 31 receptions last season, with one touchdown each in the last two years. He’s a clear red zone target with his 6-foot-7, 300-pound stature with the athleticism to get over defenders in open space. Steelers coach Mike McCarthy’s scheme is fit for tight ends just like Washington.
To read more about the major extension for Pittsburgh’s young core, here is the full story from Steelers Roundtable writer Jordan Sigler.
Herbig wants to keep his class together, and Washington’s extension is the latest to join him. The Steelers have spoken about wanting to extend nose tackle Keeanu Benton and cornerback Joey Porter Jr., while they declined offensive tackle Broderick Jones’ fifth year option due to some uncertainty surrounding his neck injury, but there is a clear intent to keep the core of a strong draft haul.
