James Washington trying to establish role in Steelers' new-look offense

As one relationship begins for James Washington — he married his longtime girlfriend, Julia White, in March — another could be nearing its conclusion.

The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver is entering his fourth and final season of the contract he signed after being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Unless the Steelers offer an extension to Washington — something they didn’t do for No. 1 receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster before his fourth season — free agency will awaits in the offseason.

“I haven’t really looked that far,” Washington said Wednesday after the Steelers’ fifth organized team activity session. “I’m really just trying to get through the season first. I’m trying to what I can to help this team win this year, then we’ll talk about everything else later.”

Despite having one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the NFL, the Steelers haven’t won nearly enough during Washington’s tenure with the organization. They missed the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, and then made an unexpected exit in the wild-card round last year when Cleveland upset them, 48-37.

With the Steelers re-signing Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal a few weeks after he hit free agency, they have their top five returning wide receivers back from 2020, including Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Ray-Ray McCloud and Washington.

“That group is a fun group,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “That is one of the reasons I said I wanted to come back is because that is a special group, and I’m excited to see what they can bring to the offense and to the team this year.”

Washington’s role within that group is uncertain. Last year, when the Steelers went with a four-receiver, one-tight end package and used it with much success midseason, Washington was the one standing on the sideline.

Although he set a career high with five touchdown receptions, Washington caught just 30 passes for 392 yards while playing a career-low 44% of the offensive snaps. The previous year, he had 44 catches for 735 yards and was on the field 64% of the time the offense possessed the ball.

To complicate matters, the Steelers switched offensive coordinators, promoting quarterbacks coach Matt Canada, and promise to feature the run more prominently this season after drafting Najee Harris in the first round. In theory, that would mean fewer opportunities to catch passes for the receivers in general and Washington in particular.

“I think as a group we just want to win,” Washington said. “At the end of the day, if we get three or four catches — cool. But if we get the win, we take that over (personal goals) any day.”

Actually, Washington is encouraged about being part of Canada’s offense, which is expected to include plenty of pre-snap motion and receivers lining up in various spots on the field.

“That is one of the things I like about this team,” Washington said. “Receivers can play any position. You’re not just a ‘Z’ or just an inside or outside guy. You may play that primarily, but you’re never just that receiver. You can always move around. I think we’re pretty fluid with moving around and keeping guys out there.”

For an offense that was viewed externally as being too predictable in 2020, the diversity is a welcomed sight.

“The formations are a little different,” Washington said. “I think it will help us just because it will help line us up at different positions. We can move people around pre-snap and get matchups we want against certain guys.”

Like the rest of the wide receivers returning from 2020, Washington missed the first week of voluntary workouts. He has joined Smith-Schuster and others on the practice field this week learning the nuances of Canada’s offense.

“He knows everything is new to us, so he’s taking us through it kind of slow, getting us acclimated to it all,” Washington said. “If you’ve got a question, his door is always open. He’s always willing to help guys and make sure we’re on the same page so we’re able to play fast when the first game gets here.”