DK Metcalf
DK Metcalf
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-0 after beating the Atlanta Falcons, 20-13. It wasn’t the prettiest win, though. The Steelers had plenty of issues, especially with their top wide receiver. DK Metcalf had four catches for 40 yards against the Falcons, which is already an underwhelming stat line for him. He also had drop issues, and he got called for two offensive pass interference penalties. It was far from Metcalf’s best day, and former Steelers corner Joe Haden had plenty of criticism for one of the NFL’s most physically gifted wide receivers.
“We started getting those 1-on-1 contests, I’m like, ‘DK, it’s you versus him,'” Haden said Monday on his Deebo and Joe podcast. “Those are 50/50s. We have to win those…There’s opportunities there.
“DK, you’ve gotta catch that. The 10-and-in, the dig, hit him right in the hands…You’re the highest paid player on our offense, making $30 million a year. You’re a No. 1 receiver. That’s why we have you here. These plays need to be made.”
The Steelers traded a second-round pick for Metcalf last year and immediately gave him a hefty contract extension. While his first season in Pittsburgh wasn’t great, there was hope that he would bounce back in a better system this year. He didn’t start off on the right foot, though.
Got to have THIS, DK! #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/QoYfcQiFrN
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 13, 2026
Haden isn’t the only former Steeler who was critical of Metcalf. James Harrison also thinks the 6-4, 235-pounder can’t continue having days like that.
“You can’t be a No. 1 and drop two balls, especially, when it comes down to it, you’re not getting that many targets,” Harrison said. “Your drop percentage is too high to be able to be considered as that No. 1 guy…That’s just not what we’re going to be able to do and be productive.”
Actually, Metcalf got plenty of targets against the Falcons, leading the Steelers with 10. The next highest-targeted players were Jaylen Warren and Roman Wilson, who tied with six each.
Despite Metcalf’s issues, Aaron Rodgers kept trying to feed him the ball. The veteran quarterback also said after the game that he’s going to continue looking Metcalf’s way.
Rodgers is right not to completely freeze Metcalf out of the offense going forward. The Steelers have invested too much in him to not give him more chances.
However, Metcalf needs to show that he can be more consistent going forward. The Steelers’ offense didn’t inspire a lot of confidence in Week 1. Had Metcalf made one or two of those big plays, though, things could’ve been different.
Pittsburgh’s offense doesn’t have a lot of explosive playmakers. That’s supposed to be Metcalf’s job, but he needs to catch the ball in order to make plays. Haden and Harrison aren’t wrong to be frustrated. Metcalf should play better, and he’ll need to bounce back sooner rather than later. The Steelers have a long season ahead of them, and they need Metcalf to perform like he’s their top receiver.