The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ dynamic duo of Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth has carried the team into a new NFL top-five tight end groups ranking.
According to NFL writer Bucky Brooks, the Steelers‘ tight end room was ranked at No. 5 in the league heading into the 2026 season.
“The Steelers’ inclusion on this list might surprise some observers, but Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington are two gritty TEs who excel at knocking defenders off the ball on running plays,” Brooks wrote. “With a pair of effective edge blockers in the lineup, the Steelers can create big-play opportunities on the ground on various off-tackle plays and sweeps.”
While the Steelers cut ties with Jonnu Smith this offseason, Freiermuth and Washington combined for 850 yards and five touchdowns in 2025 — but their impact wasn’t limited to on-field production, as the tight end duo frequently created mismatches as both pass catchers and run blockers.
With Washington serving as the TE1-B to Freiermuth’s TE1-A, it’s no wonder why Brooks ranked the Steelers’ tight end room among the very best in the league. They will, however, have a strong chance at improving their standing in Pittsburgh’s new, high-powered offense this upcoming season.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington lead top-ranked TE room