The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently gearing up to battle the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday in Week 16 of the NFL season. However, one Steeler in particular seems to have a different battle in mind per his social media. Tight end Darnell Washington took to Instagram on Saturday stating that he wanted to take on boxer Joshua Anthony following Anthony's fight with Jake Paul on Friday Night. Washington is listed at 6'7" and weighs over 300 pounds. While Washington is listed a little over 260, it has been noted plenty of times that he is well over that number.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers tight end Darnell Washington hurdles over a defender during Pittsburgh's 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 of the 2025 NFL Regular Season.
Washington has been a noticeable force on the field in Pittsburgh's offense when they get him the ball, often being seen bulling over multiple defenders when the ball finds his hands. He also has been one of the Steelers' more productive tight ends, in a loaded tight end room, compiling 26 receptions for 313 yards and a touchdown during the 2025 season in the Steel City. Washington has also been praised for his versatility and dynamic ways he can be used by many close to the NFL.
"Give me a year and I'll beat Anthony Joshua no bs," Washington wrote.
Washington has made it known before that he has trained to box, and seems to think that with shifting his focus from football to boxing he could take on Joshua in the ring. Should Washington actually go to boxing at some point in his life, he would not be the first NFL player to transition from the gridiron and into the ring.
Long-time NFL defensive lineman Lyle Alzado once boxed against the legendary Muhammed Ali in an exhibition. Former Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell also faced off against former NFL running back Adrian Peterson in an exhibition boxing match in July of 2022.
Washington was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft (93rd overall) out of the University of Georgia. During his collegiate career from 2020-2022, Washington helped contribute to a pair of National Championships for the Bulldogs, while seeing modest production numbers wise similar to his time with the Steelers.
At Georgia, Washington had 45 receptions for 774 yards and three touchdowns across three seasons, but it should be noted that he was also sharing looks with Brock Bowers, now of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Steelers Would Not Welcome Boxing Career For Washington
While Washington truly may be able to give it a go in the boxing ring, the Steelers would probably rather he develop further into an immovable force on the football field. Washington may be seeing limited production on the stat sheet during his time in Pittsburgh, but he also brings a presence to the field that the Steelers welcome. Washington, just like his time at Georgia, is a great blocker and that alone presents a challenge to opposing teams' defenses when the Steelers hit the field each week.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' TE Darnell Washington and Eagles' CB Darius Slay get into a scuffle during game in 2024.
The Steelers most likely have plans well beyond the 2025 season for Washington, which would be huge to help their offensive production. Washington is often seen making highlight reel stiff arm-type plays on opposing teams defenders, while also forcing multiple defenders to help on defense in order to bring him down on the field.
It should also be noted that there was speculation of Washington being moved to offensive line, but the Steelers saw him more as a pure tight end, who can contribute to run-blocking and also catch check down passes. Then, he is able to use his size to burst through defenders.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Tight End Darnell Washington Stiff Arms Bengals Defender in Game in 2025
While the Steelers have Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth, Washington is still a valuable asset for the Steelers' offense regardless of being in a log-jammed tight end room.
Freiermuth was signed to an extension from the Steelers in September of 2024 for four years and $48.4 million. This means that Freiermuth is set to be the only tight end on the Steelers roster entering the 2027 season. Assuming Washington does not leave the game of football early to enter the boxing world, the Steelers can keep the big man around to use in multiple different looks after his contract expires at the end of 2026, but he could certainly be extended before then.
Do you think the Steelers should steer Washington away from boxing? Let us know in the comments below!
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