Darnell Washington has often been coy about his true weight. Listed at a clearly incorrect and pre-NFL Draft 264 pounds, Washington made headlines last year when he revealed he weighed 311 pounds. Now, a teammate is offering an update and where Washington plans to be as part of Pittsburgh’s stricter weigh-in policies.
“Try 320,” tight end JJ Galbreath said on The Banner podcast when someone else referenced Washington weighing 300 pounds. “He was 320 when we were out there.”
Presumably, Galbreath is referring “out there” as the team’s spring practices that wrapped up in June. It puts him about 10 pounds lighter than the heaviest Washington once said he ever reached during one offseason.
A rookie last season, Galbreath joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent. He spent the summer with Pittsburgh and a brief time on the practice squad before being released. The Steelers signed him to a Reserve/Futures contract this offseason.
Galbreath marveled at Washington’s size, sharing he has a photo of the team of them standing together as practice last year with Washington dwarfing Galbreath. He isn’t the only one. Earlier this offseason, Travis Kelce and George Kittle, two household names at the position, became downright giddy recalling Washington’s highlight plays and his unique size.
During Washington’s own appearance on Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast, he hinted as more stringent weigh-ins and fines for not adhering to them.
“He’s cutting down weight,” Galbreath said. “I think he said he wants to be right around 300 come training camp and for the season.”
At 300 pounds, Washington will remain football’s largest tight end and an ace blocker. Dropping weight will hopefully make him a faster player and bigger threat as a receiver to build upon his career 2025 season: 31 receptions, 364 yards, and one touchdown. Pittsburgh gave him a four-year, $42 million contract extension this offseason.
As Washington is losing weight, Galbreath is gaining. He told the show he’s up to 245 pounds, about a 10 pound increase from last season. An athletic player with receiving chops, Galbreath’s biggest problem a year ago was his blocking. An area he aims to improve with his larger build.
Washington’s stature makes him a football unicorn. Even as he plans to drop weight, he’ll remain plenty big and far heavier than his NFL Combine figure. Or what the Steelers’ website officially lists him at.
