The Pittsburgh Steelers needed to improve at wide receiver this offseason. They’ve struggled to field more than one solid receiver for the past few seasons. Their reported solution was to trade for Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts. Pittman has been in the league since 2020, and he’s been a solid player. He should fit in well next to DK Metcalf. However, former NFL receiver Greg Jennings doesn’t have high hopes for Metcalf and Pittman, especially if Pittsburgh re-signs Aaron Rodgers.
“I don’t think they’re dangerous at all,” Jennings said Tuesday on FS1’s First Things First. “I don’t like the combo of Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf.
“If Aaron Rodgers is your quarterback and knowing he has to get the ball out of his hands right away, Michael Pittman Jr. is not a YAC guy, meaning get the ball in his hands quick and then he makes something happen. DK can do it because he plays bully ball; he can beat you up at the line. Neither one of them are great releasing off the line of scrimmage.”
Jennings and Rodgers were teammates from 2006-2012, so the former receiver has an idea of what the four-time MVP likes in his pass catchers. While Rodgers is a different player now than when he played with Jennings, his general attitude towards receivers seems similar.
Rodgers likes throwing to experienced players who are going to be in the right place at the right time. That was evident when the Steelers added Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling during the 2025 season.
Pittman fits that profile pretty well. He’s a six-year veteran, and he’s better winning off the line of scrimmage than Jennings gives him credit for. While he isn’t great after the catch, he’s a solid separator. Also, Pittman has a knack for being where he’s supposed to be on the field.
All of that should make him a solid fit with Rodgers if the Steelers re-sign the quarterback. Even if he doesn’t return, Pittman and Metcalf look complementary. They’re both big receivers, but they do different things. Metcalf should stress defenses downfield, while Pittman is a more reliable option underneath.
Will Metcalf and Pittman be the next coming of Randy Moss and Cris Carter? No, but they should give the Steelers the best receiver duo that they’ve had in years. They might not be done adding to that room, either. The Steelers could have a good group of offensive weapons next season. They just need to figure out who their quarterback is going to be.
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