Latest news with #DarnellWashington
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos Trade Idea Lands Them Darnell Washington
Broncos Trade Idea Lands Them Darnell Washington originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Broncos hope to take the next step heading into 2025. The team ended its eight-year playoff drought a year ago, finishing with a 10-7 record before losing to the Buffalo Bills in the Wildcard Round of the NFL playoffs, and there's a fair amount of belief that the team will be challenging for the playoffs again in 2025. Advertisement The offense, with second-year quarterback Bo Nix, has to continue to ascend if growth is to happen. Acquiring tight end Evan Engram and running back J.K. Dobbins in free agency, as well as running back R.J. Harvey and wide receiver Pat Bryant in the draft, means the Broncos are well-equipped to take that step. One interesting trade proposal has the Broncos improving even more at tight end, though. Per KOA's Zach Segar, the Broncos should consider making a trade for Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington. The former Georgia Bulldog is heading into his third season in the NFL with the Steelers and is known for his excellent blocking ability, both as a run-blocker and in pass protection. The trade proposal has the Broncos acquiring Washington for a 2027 sixth-round pick, while an alternative offer sees the Broncos picking up Washington and a 2026 sixth-round pick for TE Adam Trautman and a 2026 fifth-round pick. Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton speaks to the media following rookie minicamp at Broncos Park Powered by Chenoy-Imagn Images 'Right now, Denver's tight end room is painfully shallow. Evan Engram is the only player in the room who could earn playing time on a majority of NFL rosters, and even he is a limited solution, considering his lack of blocking ability and his need to operate in space.' Segar writes. Advertisement That's where Washington could come in and contribute. While he's still raw and growing as a pass-catcher, his size, athleticism, and natural power lend themselves very well to his role as a blocker. 'Darnell Washington could immediately be a quality answer to fill the void next to Engram in the tight end room. Washington offers freakish size, athleticism, and strength, making him look more like an additional offensive tackle than a traditional TE.' Segar adds. 'Despite that lumbering frame, Washington has managed to be a factor in the passing game, making him a more well-rounded option than past Broncos blocking-specialists Eric Tomlinson and Chris Manhertz.' The Steelers might feel more open to the idea of moving Washington now they've also traded for former Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith, but Washington's role is so niche, and he plays it so well that the Steelers may feel they can't get that production from elsewhere on the roster. In a world where he does end up on the Broncos roster, he makes them a better team. Related: Broncos' Bo Nix Predicted to Accomplish Something Not Done Since Peyton Manning This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles TE Trade Predicted Ahead of Training Camp
Eagles TE Trade Predicted Ahead of Training Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Eagles do not have a single tight end under contract for 2026, meaning it might be smart to have a loaded competition this season to see who could become the starter for next year and beyond. Advertisement It's also worth considering the tight end market this offseason and how a recent trade might have made an intriguing asset available. The Pittsburgh Steelers added Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith in a deal that also included Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey. The Steelers now have Smith, rising star Pat Freiermuth and versatile 6-7 tight end Darnell Washington vying for targets. Josh Davis, who hosts "The Philly Special" on YouTube, believes Roseman could take advantage of this Steelers surplus by trading for Washington to add to Philly's crop of tight ends. The Eagles have plenty of resources they could be willing to offer in a trade, so a phone call inquiring about Washington's price could at least be in the cards. 'At 6-7, (264) pounds, Washington would help solidify that third spot while also potentially being groomed into more of a long-term player,' Davis said. "So looking at Washington's contract, if Howie were to make a move for him, it's an incredibly small cap hit of $1.7 million, plus he'd be locked up through 2026. We saw a similar, multiple-year move from Howie last season when it came to Jahan Dotson, and we've also seen him go for athletic freaks like Albert O [Albert Okwuegbunam] to try and make something work in the past at tight end.' Advertisement Philadelphia has over $30 million in cap space this season and a haul of 13 draft picks for next year that many people think will get dished out in trades this season. Washington provides things not a lot of tight ends across the league can in terms of size, strength and athleticism, so it's smart to think logically about Pittsburgh giving that up in the first place. 'Now, on the flip side of the argument is Pittsburgh may not even be willing to move on from him,' Davis said. "Who knows?' The Eagles tight end room is currently led by Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra. Kylen Granson, Harrison Bryant, E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu and Nick Muse fill out the training camp roster. Advertisement If there is an opportunity to add another, the more the merrier. Related: Eagles Receiver Ranks As 'Biggest Surprise' As Training Camp Looms Related: Are Eagles Learning From Past Post-Super Bowl Mistakes? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bell: Steelers Hold Two Keys to Unlocking Passing Game
With Aaron Rodgers set to wear the black and gold this upcoming fall, one of the bigger questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers is what the offense will look like in 2025. The four-time MVP is surely ready to move past his disastrous stint in New York and end his well-decorated career on a high note. In order for that to transpire, he's going to need the offensive line, particularly the young bookend tackles, to live up to their first-round billing. But at least we know that they won't be completely thrown to the wolves. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at minicamp on June 12, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Arthur Smith returns for his second season as the Steelers' playcaller, and while his offense hasn't produced great results in recent years, there are some schematic elements in place that make life a little easier on linemen. Beyond being a run-first attack, the unit ranked middle of the pack in play action and featured designed rollouts at the 5th highest rate in the league per SIS. Advertisement Moving the launch point is a natural complement to their outside-zone heavy system and helps keep defenders off balance by changing their rush path. It certainly doesn't hurt matters that they also happen to employ a 285-pound tight end in Darnell Washington that can moonlight as a pass protector every so often. While Smith's offense reduces the amount of true drop-back pass sets, both the present and future of the Steelers' offensive line partially depend on Broderick Jones' development. His sophomore season was a step in the wrong direction, as he was one of three tackles that allowed double-digit sacks last season, according to PFF. Now moving back to the left side, where he's admitted that he's more comfortable, the coaching staff has all but eliminated excuses for his struggles moving forward. The physical talent is there. Simply switching sides will hopefully help, but won't be the end-all, be-all as it pertains to fixing his technique, and those quick losses from the blind side will be more difficult to navigate with a 42-year-old quarterback that doesn't move very well at this stage of his career. Advertisement Jones was a raw prospect coming out of Georgia that needed time, but year three is somewhat of a make-or-break season for him. Pittsburgh will have to make a decision next offseason on whether or not they wish to pick up his fifth-year option. A breakout season will make the trying times worth it, and it's hard to see a world where the Steelers offense truly flourishes without it. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu at OTAs on June 5, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now On the flip side, Troy Fautanu returns to the starting lineup after missing essentially all of his rookie season due to a dislocated kneecap. If you recall, injury concerns were the primary reason that he slid further than expected in the NFL Draft, but his talent was blatantly obvious. His experience at Washington was unique because their offense was a vertical passing attack that routinely left him on an island in pass pro, something that could come in handy with a guy like Rodgers under center. After all, Smith joked that they didn't acquire him and DK Metcalf just to run the wishbone. Even for how impressive his college tape was, it's fair to expect some ups and downs in 2025, especially considering the fact that he's being tasked with switching to right tackle for the first time since high school. Fautanu is essentially a rookie, and it's true that most young tackles struggle immensely because of how athletically gifted and technically proficient modern NFL edge rushers are. Advertisement With that in mind, he deserves a bit more grace from Steelers fans in the meantime, but hopefully there will be noticeable improvement as he continues to gain reps in his new position. Still, his ability to gain Rodgers' trust in preventing pressure off the edge will be crucial in terms of maximizing their potential next season. New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 20, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Speaking of Rodgers and his relationship with the offensive line, one thing that has been widely discussed since the rumored pairing is how quickly he gets the ball out of his hands. His 2.65-second time-to-throw was the fourth quickest among starters in 2024. This is a stark contrast to the Steelers' quarterbacks that took snaps last year, with both Wilson and Fields being notorious for holding on to the ball forever. In some ways, this will help reduce the stress on the offensive tackles. But it's important to note that simply getting the ball out quickly isn't the lone ingredient to a successful pass game. Rodgers 2024 campaign is a great example of this. 305 of his passing attempts last season came in under 2.5 seconds, the second-most in the NFL according to Next Gen Stats. However, he finished 32nd in EPA/Dropback. It's no secret that Rodgers loves quick game passing concepts, but the offense has to be more diverse, or else it becomes predictable. Advertisement When you study his film from last season, you can tell that defenses were hyper-aware of Rodgers' preferences and more importantly, the things that he simply didn't feel comfortable doing like holding on to the ball longer, getting deeper into his progressions and throwing over the middle of the field. You don't want to take quick game away from him completely but you can't build the entire plane out of such plays. This isn't the first time that Rodgers has run into something of a turning point in his career. It's easy to forget about the late Mike McCarthy era Packers that felt stale at the time, with many wondering if his best days were simply behind him. Then, Matt LeFleur entered the picture, and while it took some convincing and melding of the minds, the two were able to construct an offense that revitalized his career, leading to back-to-back MVP campaigns in 2020 and 2021. Of course, Smith's offense has some shared DNA, considering their previous working relationship with one another. That isn't to say that Rodgers is likely to explode for another monster statistical season, but if he's willing to tweak his game once more, the results could be good enough for the Steelers to at least make the postseason. Pittsburgh should be mindful about how much they're putting on his shoulders. Sometimes less is more, and it's unreasonable to expect him to carry their offense by throwing the ball nearly 600 times at his age. The Steelers have to be realistic with their expectations here. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith at OTAs on May 29, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now In order for them to be firing on all cylinders when it matters, the young tackle duo will need to prove that they can keep the future Hall of Famer clean. When Rodgers is well protected, the arm talent is still plenty good enough to make things happen. It's when the pocket begins to erode around him that things start to go south. And it's going to require compromise on his end as well. The infrastructure in Pittsburgh is certainly much more stable than the one up north, and that could prove to be beneficial for everyone involved. Advertisement The Steelers' 2025 season could be a lot of things, but it won't be boring. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Bell: Steelers Hold Two Keys to Unlocking Passing Game Related Headlines
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aaron Rodgers Has All-Pro Comp for Steelers TE Darnell Washington
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington during a game against the New York Jets on Oct. 21, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now New Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had high praise for third-year tight end Darnell Washington following the team's first practice after mandatory minicamp. 'I told Darnell [Washington] today I haven't had a tight end like him since Marcedes [Lewis],' Rodgers said. 'And Marcedes, all-time great. Darnell is like a young Marcedes, able to do things in the passing game and dominate the line of scrimmage.' Advertisement It was a noteworthy endorsement from Rodgers, who spent four seasons alongside Lewis in Green Bay. The veteran tight end, now entering his 19th NFL season, most recently played for the Chicago Bears in 2024. Known for his longevity and toughness, Lewis built a reputation as one of the league's most dependable blocking tight ends while also serving as a reliable safety net for quarterbacks in play-action and red zone situations. The comparison adds weight to growing optimism around Washington's development. A jump in his production, especially as a pass catcher, appears more likely entering Year 3. Reports out of ota's indicated that Washington is moving well and playing at a lighter weight, reportedly down 15 pounds from last season. Combined with the high praise from a four-time MVP like Rodgers, all signs point to Washington taking on a bigger role in 2025. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a Steelers minicamp practice on June 10, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Washington has already made a name for himself as one of the league's premier run-blocking tight ends. He earned a 67.2 run-blocking grade in 2024, which ranked sixth among all tight ends according to Pro Football Focus. He also showed modest growth in the receiving game, catching 19 passes last season compared to just seven as a rookie. Advertisement Armed with elite size, improved mobility, and growing trust from one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NFL history, Darnell Washington could be primed for a breakout campaign. He may prove to be one of the Steelers' most valuable weapons in 2025. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Aaron Rodgers Has All-Pro Comp for Steelers TE Darnell Washington Related Headlines
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers' massive TE shows newfound work ethic at OTAs — motivated by contract extension
Steelers TE Darnell Washington has been putting in extra work this offseason — and he's ready for his Year 3 breakout. At Steelers OTAs on Tuesday, Washington was asked if he could make more of an impact in the Steelers' passing attack this season — and this was his response (courtesy of Steelers Live): Advertisement "That's one of the reasons why I want to start becoming more of a pro — than I was previous years," Washington explained. "My first two years, I really wasn't taking care of my body. I wasn't like rolling out. I wasn't getting massages. I would just come in, do the work, leave. Now I'm like — kind of want to stick around the [Steelers training] facility. Do a little bit more with the quarterback after practice, or do some more recovery." Washington explained that he's dropped some weight since adopting this newfound mindset — and even described a new extension as motivation: "Just improve year by year because after your third year is your fourth year — then everybody want a new contract. That's how I want to attack it, and just be the best version of myself." Washington is one of the most underrated offensive weapons at the Steelers' disposal — and this new work ethic could do wonders in his third year in Pittsburgh. Advertisement For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers OTAs: TE Darnell Washington is ready for Year 3 breakout
