The Philadelphia Eagles have a surplus at the tight end position entering training camp, but that doesn’t mean GM Howie Roseman isn’t doing his homework on a position group that includes zero players signed beyond the upcoming 2025 season.
One team to monitor is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who brought in one of the most productive tight ends from the 2024 regular season in veteran Jonnu Smith, as part of Monday’s blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins.
The move pushes former Georgia Bulldogs star Darnell Washington further down Pittsburgh’s depth chart, behind starter Pat Freiermuth and now Smith. And it begs the question: Could Washington, a third-round draft pick of the Steelers in 2023, shake free as a trade target during training camp?
Eagles analyst Josh Davis of The Philly Special Show predicts Roseman and company will, at the very least, gauge the potential price tag attached to one of the more formidable pass-blocking tight ends in football. Here’s why he sees Washington as an ideal fit for Philly’s offense:
“At 6-7, 275 pounds, Washington would help solidify that third spot while also potentially being groomed into more of a long-term player,” Davis said of an Eagles depth chart that’s currently led by Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcatera. “Remember, the Eagles don’t have a single tight end signed beyond this season. 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.”
Philadelphia will be a team to watch on the trade market as we get into the meat of the preseason. Not only are the Eagles flush with 2025 salary cap space, but they’re currently projected to hold 13 selections in the 2026 draft, including eight picks on Day 3. Roseman will almost certainly be looking to pull those levers to help aid Philly’s push for a Super Bowl repeat.
As for the Steelers’ side? Davis admits that Pittsburgh likely isn’t in a hurry to move its massive, 23-year-old tight end.
“Now, on the flip side of the argument is Pittsburgh may not even be willing to move on from him,” Davis said, “since they still need a third guy with Darnold Parham Jr. out for the season, and that’s not to mention Aaron Rodgers recently hyping up Washington for losing some weight to help with his route running, along with Rodgers comparing him to Mercedes Lewis.
“Who knows?” he added. “The likelihood of this deal getting done is probably less than 50 percent, but I can guarantee you Howie Roseman is working the phones to at least see what it costs.”
Again, the Eagles are absolutely stacked at tight end, with Kylen Granson, Harrison Bryant and E.J. Jenkins also on the 90-man roster for training camp. The aforementioned Goedert and Calcaterra are the only “roster locks” at this point, however, so a young player of Washington’s size, speed (4.64 40-yard dash) and upside is certainly worth exploring.
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