Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf, the Steelers’ new wide receiver duo, expect to have a lot more fun than opposing DBs this year. There are over 450 pounds between them, each standing at 6-4. In short—no pun intended—you will struggle to find a more physically imposing pair in the league. And they mean to use that to their advantage.
“Absolutely. It’s gonna be fun”, Pittman told Missi Matthews via the Steelers’ website about anticipating teaming up with Metcalf. “I actually texted him and just let him know that it’s gonna be a lot of physical ball and I think that we’re gonna have lots of fun”.
Despite their size, neither Pittman nor Metcalf are glorified tight ends by any means. Individually, they may not be perennial All-Pros, but as a duo, they will give cornerbacks a lot to think about. And the more plays they do that, the more plays those cornerbacks will think twice. Now, they’re all professionals in the NFL, so it’s not like they’ll back down. But when you’re run over 20 times, you start to brace yourself the 21st time.
The Steelers made a big trade for DK Metcalf a year ago, sending the Seahawks a second-round pick. Then they turned around and signed him to a new five-year, $150 million contract, averaging $30 million per season. Knowing they needed more help and the Colts wanted to relieve themselves of Michael Pittman Jr.’s contract, they acted fast.
For Pittman, the Steelers merely had to swap a late sixth-round pick for the Colts’ seventh-rounder, moving down 16 spots. They signed him to a new three-year deal worth $59 million. Between Pittman and Metcalf, that’s a lot of money devoted to wide receiver for the next three years. But it’s also a lot of wide receiver to have.
And it’s a different type of wide receiver than the Steelers have had in a while. Sure, they’ve had some tall wide receivers, but usually lankier ones. When properly motivated, George Pickens could put somebody on his butt. Michael Pittman and DK Metcalf will bring another level of physicality to the Steelers’ wide receiver room not seen in some years.
Metcalf didn’t have a great first season with the Steelers, but Metcalf can help with that. In reality, he didn’t have much help last year, which is why they’ve let everyone in that room leave who wasn’t under contract. It’s a fresh start, for the most part, with Michael Pittman a part of that change.
With two experienced veterans, and Pittman better equipped to take on a leadership role than Metcalf, the Steelers do have a wide receiver duo that should thrive. On paper, at least. The first question they have to answer is who their quarterback is, though Pittman doesn’t seem too worried about that.
Recommended for you