Kelce Praises Steelers' Darnell Washington
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce lauded Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington on his New Heights podcast this week.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football
Travis Kelce praised Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during an episode of the New Heights podcast. Washington caught three passes for 94 yards in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns.
Why it matters
Kelce's endorsement from one of the league's most decorated tight ends draws attention to Washington's emergence in Pittsburgh's offense. The comments come as Washington has established himself as a productive receiving option this season.
Washington has 19 catches for 254 yards and three touchdowns in eight games this season, up from seven catches for 61 yards in his rookie year. The extraction does not detail the specific substance of Kelce's comments.
The players
Travis Kelce
Kelce is a Kansas City Chiefs tight end who has made 11 Pro Bowls and been named first-team All-Pro four times and second-team All-Pro three times, and he co-hosts the New Heights podcast.
Darnell Washington
Washington is a Pittsburgh Steelers tight end standing around 6-7 and listed at 264 pounds, who has emerged as a receiving threat in his second NFL season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are an NFL franchise based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and one of the league's most storied franchises.
The details
On Wednesday's New Heights podcast, Kelce praised Washington after watching a Week 8 play in which Washington was tackled just short of the end zone against the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh also gave Washington a contract extension during the 2026 offseason.
Timeline
Week 8 of the 2026 season: Washington catches three passes for 94 yards against the Browns.
2026 offseason: Steelers sign Washington to a contract extension.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Kelce praises Washington on New Heights.
Roadmap
Kelce's 11 Pro Bowl selections and seven All-Pro honors make his praise a notable signal in the tight end market. Washington's rise reflects the continued importance of big-bodied receiving tight ends across the NFL.
Washington's 254 receiving yards through eight games make him a relevant option for fantasy managers seeking production at tight end. Kelce's public praise may also raise his visibility among casual viewers following the Steelers this season.
The takeaway
Kelce's public endorsement highlights how established veterans can shape perceptions of younger players at the same position. Readers following Pittsburgh's passing game should watch Washington's role as the season progresses.
Further reading
For more on the league's pass-catching tight ends, explore our Football coverage.
