The Pittsburgh Steelers executed a massive trade to kick off free agency last year, sending a second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for DK Metcalf. They hoped that Metcalf would boost their passing game, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, Metcalf recorded his career low in receiving yards. While that down season wasn’t all his fault, former Steelers corner Joe Haden still doesn’t believe Metcalf is a true No. 1 wide receiver.
“I feel like DK’s [Metcalf] a No. 2, a strong No. 2…” Haden said recently on his Deebo and Joe podcast. “There’s not too many real, legit 1s in the league that you can go put over there at the X [receiver] that, no matter what, gonna get it done. Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, those are the two legit 1s. Those are the best in the league, but I don’t put DK in that category right now.”
Haden’s got a strict definition of a No. 1 receiver if he uses Chase and Jefferson as examples. They’re arguably the top two receivers in the league. There aren’t many players who can dominate like those two. Metcalf certainly didn’t hit that standard in 2025.
However, Haden had other reasons for viewing Metcalf as a No. 2.
“Just from last year, dropping passes. He’s been a No. 1 in his career before. I just didn’t see it last year, and with him dropping those balls, I need you to be able to go over there, and I depend on you; no matter what, you’re gonna get the job done. He didn’t do it.”
Drops have been an issue for Metcalf throughout his career. He’s recorded at least seven drops in four of his seven NFL seasons, according to FOX Sports. While he had five in 2025, that still frustrated many fans, especially considering Metcalf’s price tag. The Steelers gave him a huge contract extension when they traded for him, and that came with a certain level of expectations.
Metcalf finished 2025 with 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns. Those aren’t No. 1 receiver numbers. However, he doesn’t deserve all the blame for his low numbers. The Steelers basically didn’t have any depth behind Metcalf at receiver. He received most of the attention from defenses.
Also, the Steelers’ passing attack didn’t take too many downfield shots. It focused on the quick game most of the time. That limited Metcalf, whose unique blend of size and speed makes him a great deep threat. Still, Metcalf made plays when targeted downfield.
Haden left out perhaps the biggest argument against Metcalf being a reliable No. 1 receiver, and that was his outburst during the Detroit Lions game. Metcalf got into a physical altercation with a fan. That resulted in his suspension for the final two games of the regular season, two crucial games for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers traded George Pickens in part because he struggled to control his emotions on the field. Then, Metcalf did something worse than Pickens ever did in Pittsburgh. Additionally, Pickens had a great year for the Dallas Cowboys, posting over 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns.
Metcalf needs to be better in 2026. However, his down 2025 season doesn’t mean he can’t ever be a No. 1 receiver. As Haden said, Metcalf has been a No. 1 before. Perhaps the Steelers’ new offensive system this year will better utilize Metcalf.
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