If I told you that Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf would have a career-high 17.4 yards per catch through four games, you’d be ecstatic, right? You’d also probably be picturing QB Aaron Rodgers throwing deep to Metcalf over and over again. After all, that’s how the Seattle Seahawks used Metcalf through his first six NFL seasons.
But that’s not how the Steelers are using Metcalf. They’ve identified that they can get the ball into Metcalf’s hands quickly and let him use his unique blend of size and speed to still make big plays. And according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team wants to keep doing just that. And not just for Metcalf, either.
“The Steelers have identified big plays via run-after-catch yards as a team strength — DK Metcalf and [Jaylen] Warren both rank in the top 10 in yards after catch — and the team wants to lean into that,” Fowler wrote.
According to NFL NextGen Stats, Rodgers is targeting DK Metcalf 5.8 yards downfield per target. That’s tied for the 19th-fewest targeted air yards among all wide receivers and tight ends with at least 13 targets. And guess who has the lowest targeted air yards? Steelers TE Jonnu Smith, at 0.5 air yards per target. The next closest to Smith is Cincinnati Bengals TE Noah Fant at 2.8.
The Steelers aren’t throwing deep very often. But they are putting their players in good spots to gain yards after the catch. Among those same wide receivers and tight ends with at least 13 targets, Metcalf leads the entire group with 13.3 yards after the catch (YAC). The next closest is Green Bay Packers TE Tucker Kraft, averaging 10.1 YAC.
RODGERS TO METCALF. 80 YARD TOUCHDOWN.
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Fowler also mentioned Steelers RB Jaylen Warren. What happens when you start adding running backs into the mix? Per Pro Football Reference, Metcalf drops down to fourth in the league in average YAC. Who is number one?
Jaylen Warren, averaging 14 YAC.
Part of this is out of necessity. The Steelers’ offensive line struggled to protect Aaron Rodgers, especially early in the season. And one way to counter pressure is by getting the ball out of Rodgers’ hands quickly. Rodgers still has the quickest average time to throw per NextGenStats at 2.65 seconds. He also has the lowest average intended air yards.
But Fowler also notes that the Steelers are finding their YAC attack a successful offensive philosophy. They want to get the ball into their playmakers’ hands early and let them do what they do well. While some analysts may call the Steelers’ offense fake, Mike Tomlin and Co. seem to think otherwise. And they want to keep doing it until it doesn’t work anymore.
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