Welcome to the Terrible Take, a daily segment telling Steelers Nation what's on our mind.

I'm Alex Kizora.

How much more involved can tight end Darno Washington be in the Pittsburgh Steelers passing game?

He's slimmed down in typical best shape of his life season, we often hear this time of year.

Reportedly quicker and faster, he told reporters during mini-camp,

Arthur Smith is splitting him out more than he did a season ago. But as a blocking first tight end

in a run-heavy offense, what is Washington's ceiling? There's no question he should be more

involved than 2024. Over the final six weeks of last year, he received just three targets

and had two catches. That is not acceptable. But Washington is not going to be Travis Kelsey,

his route tree is limited. Even as a lighter player, he's a buildup runner who is best vertically

down the seam or in boots in the flat. He's not going to break down

and run crisp routes over the middle, and that's okay. He doesn't need to run every route.

Hitzberg just has to lean on his skill set. A year in which Washington catches 25 or 30 passes more

consistently throughout the entire year, that works. He can and should still be a blocker taking a big jump there in 2024.

Now, 2025 can be the year

he progresses as a receiver

if the Steelers let him.

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