PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He’s become a bigger weapon for Aaron Rodgers to use now in his second year with him. Not talking here about DK Metcalf, rather a physically larger option, tight end Darnell Washington.
“He’s a mountain of a man and he's got great catch radius and he is a natural hands catcher of the football,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “He just creates space by being humongous. So you just kind of got to put it in his stratosphere and he usually comes down with it.”
For the first time in his career Washington has multiple targets in four straight games. While he only had 25 yards total receiving in the first two games, that jumped to 94 yards in the last two including 6’8” tight end’s first touchdown of the season.
The touchdown catch against the Browns came after Rodgers said he missed him on a third down pass, but had the confidence to look for him again on fourth down. The veteran quarterback wanted to run the same thing back, he got open again. This time they were able to connect on a lower pass to tie the game.
Last season Rodgers found Washington for 31 receptions, 15 of those plays went for a first down. This year it’s nine receptions with four first downs and the TD. Washington credits the two-tight end formations with he and Pat Freiermuth.
“When we get in 12 (personnel-2 tight ends) and get the looks that we want, it works because we got me and Pat on the field and someone is on a mismatch,” Washington said.
It’s what the fourth-year tight end has done outside of games that has caught Rodgers’ eye.
“I love everything Darnell is about, his approach, the way he practices,” Rodgers said. “He leads by example, but he does it right all the time and wants to be dialed in. His preparation approach has been fantastic.”
“You always wonder when you pay a guy (Washington got a four-year, $42 million contract this offseason) how they're going to respond and he responded how a guy who deserves another contract after this would, you'd want him to, where they lock in even more.”
“That's the sign of a good leader. He is not the most outspoken guy, but the way he leads by example in his play and his physicality is just, you're just really happy he's on your team.”
With Michael Pittman’s availability in doubt, Washington could play an even bigger role this week.
Steelers quarterback on the growth & approach from Darnell Washington
Steelers quarterback on the growth & approach from Darnell Washington
