Fantasy Football News

The Steelers have agreed to a four-year extension with TE Darnell Washington worth $42 million, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, with $21 million of that guaranteed. Washington’s heading into his fourth season after arriving as a third-round pick in 2023. It’ll be his first under a new coaching staff, however, headed by Mike McCarthy. The extension puts Washington under contract with Pittsburgh through 2030, which would be his age-29 season.

The Steelers and QB Aaron Rodgers have agreed to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports, with $22 million in guarantees and a max value of $25 million. Rodgers will now return for his second season in Pittsburgh and reunite with new HC Mike McCarthy for the first time since 2018. McCarthy served as Packers HC from 2006 -- the year after Green Bay drafted Rodgers -- until 2018, a span that included 11 seasons with Rodgers as the lead QB.

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Indiana TE Riley Nowakowski in Round 5 of the NFL Draft. Nowakowski was an in-line blocker and safety valve for QB Fernando Mendoza this season at Indiana. Among the 27 TEs who attended the NFL Combine, Nowakowski ranked 15th in receiving yard market share (13.7%) and 11th in yards per team pass attempt (1.25). He also ranked ninth in yards per route run (1.68).

Steelers TE Darnell Washington broke his arm in Sunday's loss to the Browns, HC Mike Tomlin said afterward. That'll keep Washington from playing in Week 18's must-win game vs. the Ravens. And he'll likely miss all of the playoffs if Pittsburgh gets there. Washington's absence should mean more snaps for TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington has cleared concussion protocol and will play vs. the Dolphins on Monday night, the team announced. He'll continue splitting snaps with TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith. Those guys are only in play in one-game daily contests.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington (concussion) is questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Dolphins. He was limited in practice all week. We might not know Washington's status for this one until Monday. Avoid Pittsburgh TEs in Week 15 fantasy lineups.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington sustained a concussion in the first half of Sunday's game vs. the Ravens and won't return. He caught his only target for 12 yards before exiting. Washington's absence should mean more snaps for TEs Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth. Washington will get an extra day to clear protocol for next Monday night's game vs. the Dolphins.

Winds are forecasted at 15-20 mph with gusts around 30-35 mph for today's Bengals-Steelers game. That figures to impact some long passes and kicks, although it's worth noting that the over/under on this game has held steady at 48.5. We're not adjusting projections in this one but might shy away from Ks Chris Boswell and Evan McPherson.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth exploded for 111 yards and two TDs in Thursday night's loss to the Bengals. His first score came on a perfectly timed throw from QB Aaron Rodgers down the seam from 19 yards out. Freiermuth did well to absorb contact and hang on to the ball in the end zone. The second TD was a 68-yarder on a coverage bust by Cincinnati's secondary. Rodgers bought extra time, rolled to his left and found Freiermuth some 40 yards downfield. Freiermuth made the grab and rumbled into the end zone to give Pittsburgh a short-lived 31-30 lead with 2:21 left.

Steelers WR Calvin Austin (shoulder) is out for Thursday night's game vs. the Bengals. Scott Miller finished second among Pittsburgh WRs with a 48% route rate with Austin out last week. The Steelers went with a bunch of two and three-TE sets with Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, and Pat Freiermuth. Those guys are worth considering in one-game daily contests but shouldn't be in season-long fantasy lineups.

Steelers TE Jonnu Smith (hip) is questionable for Sunday morning’s game vs. the Vikings in Dublin. He got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Smith was a shaky TE1 even before this injury, but his absence would turn TE Pat Freiermuth into a potential low-end spot starter.

The Dolphins have traded TE Jonnu Smith, CB Jalen Ramsey, and a 2027 Round 7 pick to the Steelers in exchange for S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 Round 5 pick.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Dolphins have "had trade discussions" with the Steelers about TE Jonnu Smith.

Steelers owner Art Rooney II said Tuesday that he expects his team to sign free agent QB Aaron Rodgers. “We keep hearing that he’s headed in our direction,” Rooney said at the NFL owners meetings, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’d say we feel pretty good about it at this time.” Rooney added that he's willing to wait "a little longer" to get an answer from Rodgers. Rodgers initially met with the Steelers on March 21.

The Steelers are acquiring WR DK Metcalf from the Seahawks and giving him a big contract extension. NFL Network reports that Metcalf is getting a four-year, $132 million extension tacked onto the final year of his current deal. That will pay him $33 million per year after this season and lock him in with Pittsburgh through 2029. Seattle is getting a second-round pick (52nd overall) plus a late-round pick swap.

Steelers WR George Pickens (hamstring) is out for Saturday's game vs. the Ravens. He remained sidelined in practice all week, leaving him uncertain for Week 17. TE Pat Freiermuth is the only member of Pittsburgh's passing game that should be in fantasy lineups this week.

Steelers WR George Pickens (hamstring) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Eagles. He didn’t practice all week. Reportedly dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, Pickens is not a lock to make it back for Week 16. Pittsburgh’s WRs are hands-off in fantasy football against a stout Philadelphia secondary. TE Pat Freiermuth gets a boost with Pickens out.

Steelers WR George Pickens reportedly has a Grade 2 Hamstring strain and will likely miss next week's game against the Eagles. Pickens missed yesterday's game against the Browns as a game-time decision, but the injury appears to be more severe than describing this week.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth caught one of Russell Wilson's two TD passes in Sunday's win over the Browns. Freiermuth caught three total passes for 48 yards among 3 targets.

Steelers WR George Pickens (hamstring) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Browns. Reports on his status for this one were positive this morning, but Pickens’ pregame workout must not have gone well. His absence leaves a huge hole in Pittsburgh’s passing game. Pickens has accounted for 24% of the team's targets, 24% of the receptions, 32% of the receiving yards, and 30% of the receiving TDs since QB Russell Wilson took over. WRs Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson, and Mike Williams could all pick up extra targets, along with TEs Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. But we’ll also likely see the Steelers lean even more on the run game. Russell Wilson is not a recommended QB1 play with Pickens out.