Steelers' Darnell Washington Opens Up About Being Teammates With Darius Slay After Huge 2024 Fight

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a series of big roster moves during free agency, including signing former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback, Darius Slay. Steelers fans may remember Slay from his fight with Steelers tight end Darnell Washington during a game last season. 

Despite coming to blows with his new teammate, Washington had nothing bad to say regarding Slay. In Week 15 of the 2024 season, Washington and Slay started a brawl when Washington continued to push Slay out of the end zone while blocking him and Slay threw a punch back. Washington admitted that he had heard the whistle once he and Slay reached the back of the end zone, but he assumed Slay would swing at him regardless, so it would be the best idea to follow through and push him all the way to the stands. Ultimately, the play got Washington an unnecessary roughness penalty. While the Steelers were close to the end zone, they were forced to settle for a field goal that drive. The Steelers later lost the game.

In hindsight, Washington acknowledges that he was responsible for the fight, although his one mistake was one of many the Steelers made that game. On Thursday, Washington said on a live stream hosted by Zach Tech Turf that he hasn't spoken to Slay yet, but he doesn't have any hard feelings towards his new teammate, and it's all water under the bridge. 

"I'm just the type of guy, I don't hold grudges. What I do on the field is totally different from what I do off the field. I'm a good dude," said Washington.

Washington also said that he thought Najee Harris was going to score, so he might as well have followed through in style with his block against Slay.

Slay has yet to comment on the situation, and it is unclear if he feels the same about the incident. Understandably, tempers flare up on the field. Both players putting the matter behind them is critical to be able to work together as a team moving forward.

Properly assimilating the new free agents added during the offseason is needed for a team to work together once the new season starts. Washington also said he was excited to play with DK Metcalf, the Steelers' highest-profile free agent signed so far.

Funny enough, Slay also has alleged beef with Metcalf, although he has addressed his past conflicts with the former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver. Metcalf and Slay fought during the 2020 season, in which it was Slay who caught an unsportsmanlike penalty after the incident. 

"I got into it with DK before," explained Slay during a past press conference. "It'll be fun, in a good way, but we gonna get after it."

Steelers Players Look To Put Past Behind Them

With both Washington and Slay playing on opposite ends of the ball, they won't come in contact with each other on the field, and will only play against each other during practice. At the end of the day, whatever feelings they may harbor, good or bad, both play for one reason: to win. 

Before long, Washington and Slay will have to discuss the matter face to face. With Washington seemingly over the matter already, and Slay professional enough to make up with Metcalf, it's unlikely the two will come into conflict going forward. Instead, both players can bring the same intensity to trying to win. Slay's willingness to stand up to offensive players much bigger than him, such as Metcalf and Washington, is admirable, and the kind of energy that makes a defense great.

Slay comes to Pittsburgh at a time in which the team's defense is lacking. The cornerback will fill a crucial gap in the team's roster, and likely be joined by fresh defensive talent picked up in the upcoming NFL Draft. Metcalf and Washington will play together as part of an increasingly scary offense that's just one quarterback away from being complete.

What do you think of Washington and Slay playing together? Do you think they could come to blows again? Let us know in the comments!

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