When the Pittsburgh Steelers sent a second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for DK Metcalf and immediately handed him a five-year, $150 million extension, the move instantly reminded NFL observers of another blockbuster receiver trade from recent memory.
Three years ago, the Philadelphia Eagles traded their first-round pick to acquire A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans, then signed him to a four-year, $100 million deal that transformed their franchise.
The parallels are impossible to ignore. Both teams identified an elite receiver as the missing piece, both paid premium draft capital, and both committed long-term money immediately. The question now: Can Pittsburgh replicate the championship-level success that Philadelphia achieved?
A.J. Brown’s arrival in Philadelphia created instant and dramatic results. In his first season, he shattered a 38-year-old franchise record with 1,496 receiving yards and earned second-team All-Pro honors. His presence elevated the Eagles from fringe playoff contenders to NFC champions. One year later, he set another franchise record with 106 receptions, proving his breakout was no fluke.
Metcalf enters Pittsburgh with similarly elite credentials. The two-time Pro Bowler has never fallen below 900 receiving yards in a season. He joins Randy Moss as the only players in NFL history to begin their careers with at least 50 catches, 900 yards, and five touchdowns in each of their first six seasons. His 66 catches for 992 yards in 2024 confirmed his continued production despite upheaval in Seattle’s offense.
But there’s one massive difference between the two trades: the quarterback.
When the Eagles acquired Brown, Jalen Hurts was entering his second season as a full-time starter — a young, ascending quarterback ready to grow with his new star receiver. The Steelers, meanwhile, are betting on 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who signed a one-year, $13.6 million deal and has publicly hinted that this could be his final NFL season.
That contrast creates vastly different timelines. Philadelphia built around a core for the future. Pittsburgh is chasing a narrow, all-or-nothing championship window in 2025.
The Steelers’ urgency was shaped by their collapse at the end of the 2024 season, where they lost five straight and missed the playoffs. In response, Pittsburgh gutted its offensive core — trading away leading receiver George Pickens to Dallas, losing leading rusher Najee Harris to the Chargers, and moving on from last year’s starting quarterback.
That desperation fueled the Metcalf move. The Steelers know the championship window for T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward is closing fast. If Metcalf and Rodgers can find immediate chemistry, the payoff could be enormous.
Early minicamp reports are promising. Metcalf’s ability to win contested catches and stretch the field vertically pairs well with Rodgers’ precision deep ball. Their shared background with Russell Wilson also brings familiarity in offensive concepts and timing.
Financially, this is the most aggressive move in franchise history. Metcalf’s $30 million annual salary places him among the top-paid receivers in the league — the same tier as A.J. Brown. It’s a clear signal: the Steelers believe Metcalf can be the centerpiece of an elite offense.
But this move comes with risk. The Eagles were rising when they added Brown. The Steelers are rebuilding on the fly. Brown helped push Philadelphia over the top. Metcalf is being asked to pull Pittsburgh back from the brink.
Whether that gamble pays off hinges on Rodgers recapturing his MVP form and the team jelling quickly. The Eagles’ patient, long-view approach turned into a Super Bowl run. The Steelers are betting that their short-term splash can match that magic, even under vastly different circumstances.
DK Metcalf And AJ Brown
DK Metcalf And AJ Brown
By Tony Fisher, With Credit to the official SteelersProShop's Instagram
Pittsburgh may not have the time Philadelphia had — but if DK Metcalf delivers, the results could be just as explosive.