The league's worst kept secret

No one in their right mind actually believed Darnell Washington was remotely close to his listed weight of 264 lbs...
He's finally admitted what we already knew...






Darnell Washington finally admits a lie that the Pittsburgh Steelers have been telling everyone for years
Rob Gregson




Darnell Washington has finally carved out a role within the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense. It only took until his third season, but somehow, in a room that includes a Pro Bowler in Jonnu Smith and a player the Steelers paid handsomely in Pat Freiermuth, Washington has become the go-to target in recent weeks.






And with that, there obviously come more eyeballs. Eyeballs that are amazed at the size of Washington every time he touches the ball. So much so that enough people in the national media have started to question whether Washington's listed weight of 260 pounds is actually true.

Newsflash, it's not.


Darnell Washington finally admits his actual playing weight
"Ima keep it a buck...I weigh 311," laughed Washington via the St.Brown podcast on YouTube.

It's about time. You can't sit and watch Washington rumble down the sidelines every week, tossing defenders with the ball in his hands, while also pancaking defensive linemen in the run game, and think that his weight starts with anything less than the number three.

It's not hyperbole to say that pound for pound, Washington is one of the most valuable players on the Steelers' offense. He has already set career highs this season in terms of receiving yards and yards per reception, but he has allowed the Steelers to unlock their run game.





Pittsburgh's go-to run personnel has become the jumbo package. That's where Spencer Anderson, the team's backup left guard, comes into the game as a sixth lineman, and alongside Washington, the team employs over 2,100 pounds along the offensive line.

The Steelers' EPA per play is 0.153 points better, and their success rate is 13 percent higher when rushing the ball in that package compared to any other personnel grouping.

So it seems that Washington has finally found his niche within the Steelers' offense. And if you ask A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst Adam Holt, it was only a matter of time.

"Watching Darnell Washington is the embodiment of the 'man amongst boys' mantra. The massive tight end has come into his own this season, and he gives the Steelers such a unique piece to their passing game. Jonnu Smith is a much different style of tight end, and Pat Freiermuth has a separate skillset as well. For Washington, you can nearly guarantee positive yardage when the ball is in his hands due to his strength and size.





"I even wonder if Arthur Smith has considered deploying a tush push using him, similar to what the Seahawks do with TE A.J. Barner. Regardless, it’s been super fun to see Washington have a mini-breakout after a couple of seasons in the pros. Often in today’s NFL, players are rushed to make some sort of statistical impact. Patience and a bit of scheme maneuvering have helped him get the opportunities to prove he can succeed at this level for Pittsburgh’s offense." - Holt

So now, the cat is finally out of the bag, Washington can go on his way dominating as what has to be the only 300+ pound TE in the NFL.

Related: Steelers' defense has a clear path to making sure that Bears QB Caleb Williams can't win a game he has circled on his calendar

 

Steelers did this with Levon Kirkland back in the day. Said he was a 260 lbs middle line backer.... but dude was 300 lbs... and could absolutely fly for a large man.

 

I thought he was
2fitty

 

Maybe when he was 12.

 

His NFL draft profile was 264 and that is where the number came from not the Steelers

And they don’t bother wasting time updating every players weight every day

 

So essentially Darnell Washington could be modern day Eric Green?! Hell, I'd be down for that!! Just gotta find the Franchise QB and Darnell's future is looking much brighter!

 

I would have said 280 or 290, but 310 is wild!

 

not surprised figured as much. and even was yelling lies during the game when they mentioned his weight. lol

 

Bettis was listed as lighter than he really was for years!

 

He’s on Zepbound for weight loss and sleep apnea. Glad he is with us though, great blocker and quick feet for a big man. Still looks like Ralph Kramden on roller skates. In 2 years he will be a starting left tackle and make 10X what he makes now.

 

Zepbound

 

i will NEVER forget that one catch and run on Sunday - those poor DB's were looking to HIDE!!!

was amazing.....reminds me of Big Bennie Cunningham or even better - the ERIC GREEN era!

i love him.....some here last year called him a BUST and criticized Khan for drafting him.....recall?

i said DUMB COACHING was the problem......I was right

 

I think Green was more athletic and had better hands, but Washington is a better blocker. He has definitely been reminding me of Green this season.

 

PANDORA'S BOX

 

Eric Green was a really good blocker...... where he separated himself was that he was also a deadly deep threat, and not just because of his height.... Green literally outran DB's..... the only te that came close was Jimmy Graham

 

Green ouch

 

Future LT

 

This. I don't understand why people are saying that this must have been his highschool weight or something.

Come-on people these height and weight numbers come straight from the NFL combine, and those numbers are the real deal, no matter what your college game day program says

 

Where’s that
Confounded bridge?

 

Speaking of Big Boys, I remember a Steeler Digest story about Hines Ward and possibly Santonio Holmes walking around the locker room in Big Snack's game pants, each standing in one leg with room to spare. That would have been hilarious to see.

 

Or the Bus at 250.

 

Didn't they list the Bus at 235?

 

Correction, it was Troy Edward's and Hines.