Steelers’ Darnell Washington Shared The Surprising Truth About A Possible Position Switch

The Pittsburgh Steelers have already made a serious investment in one of the most unique bodies on their roster, but the long-term possibilities around that player may be even more interesting than his current role.

Darnell Washington has spent his NFL career as one of the league’s most unusual tight ends. He is listed at 6-foot-7, has the frame of an extra offensive lineman, and still gives Pittsburgh enough receiving ability to be more than just a sixth blocker. That combination is why the Steelers gave him a long-term commitment and why his role should keep evolving in Mike McCarthy’s offense.

Washington’s size naturally creates a question that has followed him for years. Could he eventually play tackle?

It is not a ridiculous thought. Washington is already asked to block edge defenders, seal run lanes, and help the Steelers create a physical edge in the run game. He looks like a player who could handle some of the physical requirements later.

During a recent appearance on Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, Washington admitted he has thought about that possibility. He did not sound ready to make the move now, but he also did not completely shut the door.

"I for sure gave it some thought," Washington said. "If it would come, it would be when I’m done running routes. I still want to have some fun running routes and getting the ball."

That answer says a lot about where Washington is in his career.

He understands why people bring up tackle. He knows his frame makes the idea easy to imagine. Still, he also knows he has more to do as a tight end. Washington is not ready to give up the receiving part of his game, and the Steelers should not want him to.

Pittsburgh did not extend Washington just to make him a future offensive lineman. The Steelers believe there is value in what he can be right now. He gives them size in the run game, mismatch potential in the passing game, and a player who can make defenses think twice about playing smaller personnel.

When Washington is on the field, defenses have to respect the run. If they stay heavy, Pittsburgh can still use him as a passing option. If they go smaller, Washington can help punish them at the point of attack. That flexibility is why his current position has value. Moving him to tackle would take away some of that mystery.

The Steelers need to keep developing him as a tight end before thinking too far ahead. Washington has already shown that he can turn short throws into difficult tackles for defenders. He does not need to become a polished route runner overnight. He just needs to keep becoming more reliable. That is especially true with Aaron Rodgers in the offense.

Steelers Should Let Their Unique Weapon Keep Growing

The Steelers do not need to rush this. Washington is still young, and his current position gives Pittsburgh more options than a full-time move to tackle would. As long as he can block and remain a threat to catch the ball, he has a chance to become one of the offense’s more valuable matchup pieces.

That does not mean the tackle idea should disappear forever. Later in his career, it could become a realistic conversation. If Washington loses some movement ability, adds more weight, or reaches a point where route running is no longer a major part of his value, then the Steelers could revisit it.

For now, his mindset is exactly what Pittsburgh should want. Washington knows he is built differently. He knows tackle is possible someday. He also knows he still wants to run routes, catch passes, and use his size as a weapon with the ball in his hands.

That is where the Steelers should keep him.

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