Darnell Washington: Wife| 40 yard dash| Playing today| Contract

Darnell Washington: A Full Profile

Darnell Ernest Washington (born August 17, 2001) is an American football tight end currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed “Mount Washington,” he is known for his imposing size (6′7″, ~264 lbs) and for bringing a unique blend of blocking strength and athletic potential to the tight end position.

He played college football at the University of Georgia, where he was part of consecutive College Football Playoff national championship teams in 2021 and 2022. He was selected in the third round (93rd overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Steelers.

In this article, we’ll dig into some of the key aspects of Washington’s life and career: his personal life (including wife and family), his athletic metrics (notably his 40-yard dash), his current playing status, and his contract details with the Steelers.

Wife & Personal Life

One of the more intriguing—and less well-documented—aspects of Washington’s life is his family background and marital status. There is modest public coverage about his wife, which suggests a private or low-profile personal life.

Who is Darnell Washington’s Wife?

According to social media reports and fan pages, Darnell Washington’s wife is named Estefany Washington. Posts on Facebook have highlighted Estefany in lifestyle or modeling contexts, though these are not from major verified media outlets and should be taken with some caution in terms of reliability.

In 2023, Darnell spoke about planning to be with his wife and two daughters during the draft period, suggesting that his family includes not just a spouse but children as well. However, little credible detail exists in mainstream sports journalism or athlete profiles about their marriage date, how they met, or further family details.

Given the limited publicly available verifiable information, much of what is “known” about his marital life comes from social media sources or fan speculation. If you like, I can try to delve deeper into reliable interviews or local coverage to see if more concrete information exists.

40-Yard Dash & Athletic Metrics

One of the most important athletic indicators for a prospect, especially at a hybrid position like tight end, is the 40-yard dash. Washington’s combine metrics showcase his rare combination of size and speed.

2023 NFL Scouting Combine: 40-Yard Dash

At the 2023 NFL Combine, Darnell Washington ran an official 4.64-second 40-yard dash. This is an impressive mark given his size—264 pounds and standing 6′7″.

To further contextualize that:

• ESPN and other draft profiles noted that despite being the heaviest tight end at the Combine, he still posted one of the top 40-yard dash times among TE participants.

• His 10-yard split (a measure of initial burst) was ~1.57 seconds, which ranked among the top for his position group.

• In other drills, he posted a 20-yard shuttle of 4.08 seconds, highlighting agility for his frame.

These metrics helped underscore his athletic ceiling: a tight end who can threaten in space, stretch the seam, and still function as a strong blocker.

Strengths & Weaknesses from the Combine & Scouting Reports

Strengths:

• Blocking ability: Washington’s size and strength make him a reliable blocker both in run and pass situations. Scouts often highlight this as one of his foundational skills.

• Catch radius & contested catches: With his height and arm length, he brings a large catch envelope, especially useful in red zone or contested scenarios.

• Athleticism for size: His speed and agility metrics outperform many tight ends of similar frame, giving him upside as a hybrid threat.

Weaknesses / Areas to Improve:

• Route separation & suddenness: Some scouts note he lacks elite burst or change-of-direction to consistently separate from defenders.

• Block footwork refinement: While strong, he sometimes struggles with pad level, leverage, and finesse in more technical blocking schemes.

• Consistency in pass catching: Given his limited collegiate receiving totals, some question his consistency and refinement as a pass-catcher at the pro level.

In summary, Washington’s combine results, especially the 4.64-second 40, paint the picture of a physically gifted tight end with real upside, though with some developmental questions to be addressed at the NFL level.

Playing Today: Status, Usage & Performance

When people ask “Is he playing today?” or “How is his role evolving?” it’s helpful to look into his recent usage, injuries (if any), and projected role.

Current Status & Role

As of the 2025 season, Washington is listed as active on the Steelers’ roster. He is not currently sidelined with injury (no publicly reported major injury for 2025 as of available data).

In terms of snap share and usage:

• Over his first two seasons, he has hovered around 50 percent of offensive snaps in many games, serving in mixed roles of blocking tight end and occasional pass-target.

• He is generally considered more of a blocking tight end at present, though coaches and analysts hope he can expand into more receiving work as his development continues.

• In 2025, with competitive tight end depth (including Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith), his pass-catching opportunities may be limited, but his blocking role and situational usage remain valuable.

Recent Performance & Highlights

• In a recent 2025 game vs. the Browns, Washington recorded 3 receptions on 5 targets for 62 yards, though he also fumbled the ball (the ball went out of bounds). That marked one of his better yardage outings.

• Historically, his receiving totals have been modest: going into 2025, his career receiving yardage sat in the couple-hundred yard range, with few touchdowns.

Will He Play Today?

Given that he is active and hasn’t been flagged with injury, it stands to reason he is available to play in today’s game (if the Steelers have a game). Whether he sees significant snaps depends on game script, matchups, and coaching decisions.

When considering fantasy or depth-chart predictions, one should note:

• His blocking role makes him a reliable contributor even in less “flashy” moments.

• If injuries or matchups favor heavier usage of two tight-end sets, Washington could see more targets.

• His ceiling remains tied to how much his pass-catching role expands; as of now, he remains more of a hybrid “blocking-first” TE.

Contract & Financial Details

Understanding Washington’s contract gives insight into how the Steelers value him and how his financial security is structured.

Contract Overview

• Darnell Washington signed a 4-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in May 2023.

• The total contract value is $5,353,912, giving an average annual value (AAV) (or average salary) of about $1,338,477.

• The contract includes $893,752 in guaranteed money, largely in the form of a signing bonus.

• The contract runs through the 2026 season.

Salary Structure, Cap Hits & Cash Flow

From the Over The Cap breakdown:

• The total guaranteed portion is essentially the signing bonus proration plus base guarantees ($893,752).

• His cap hits increase each year, reflecting a conventional rookie contract structure.

• If cut before June 1, or after, the dead money and cap savings differ per year based on bonus proration schedules.

This structure shows the Steelers have modest long-term commitment but reasonable upside for Washington to earn out his value via performance or future extension.

Comparisons & Outlook

• For a third-round rookie tight end, Washington’s contract is fairly standard — not massive, but sufficient to allow the team flexibility if he doesn’t develop as hoped.

• The guarantee ($893,752) is modest relative to the total, so much of his compensation relies on hitting performance or longevity.

• If Washington develops into a more consistent receiving threat while maintaining his blocking prowess, he could command a more lucrative extension or second contract.

• If not, the Steelers can relatively easily move on or reallocate his roster spot in coming years, given the contract’s structure.

Projected Growth & Challenges

To assess Washington’s future trajectory, it helps to identify the key opportunities and obstacles he faces.

Opportunities & Upside

1. Increased pass-catching role: If he refines route running and develops chemistry with his quarterback, his athleticism could yield breakout games.

2. Red zone threat: His height and catch radius make him a natural candidate for red-zone targets and contested catches.

3. Hybrid formations: As more NFL offenses deploy multiple tight-end sets or two-TE looks, Washington’s blocking + receiving blend gives him flexibility.

4. Durability & consistency: If he remains healthy and plays every game, his reliability will boost his floor as a contributor.

Challenges & Risks

1. Depth chart competition: With established tight ends like Pat Freiermuth and additions such as Jonnu Smith, Washington must fight for targets and playing time.

2. Refining route technique: To move beyond being a blocking first TE, he must improve footwork, separation moves, and consistency catching in traffic.

3. Injury risk: As a large-bodied athlete, wear-and-tear or soft tissue injuries could hamper availability.

4. Contract value pressure: With much of his contract non-guaranteed, he needs performance validation to secure future deals.

If Washington can clear these developmental hurdles while taking advantage of his unique physical tools, he has the potential to evolve into a high-impact TE. But it’s a path that requires steady growth.