Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2026 NFL season has gotten off to a difficult start for wide receiver DK Metcalf, and his early struggles are raising questions about whether his partnership with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is working.
DK Metcalf through 2 weeks, per @SumerSports:
88 routes run (3rd among WRs)
0.76 yards per route run (107th)
2 drops (1st)
Fewest receiving yards (67) he's ever had through the first 2 weeks of a season. pic.twitter.com/awZyXBfS6B
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) September 21, 2026
Through the first two weeks of the season, Metcalf has recorded just 67 receiving yards—the fewest he has ever had through two games to begin a season. The eight-year NFL veteran has caught only eight passes and has yet to find the end zone.
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Metcalf struggling to find his rhythm
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) catches a pass in the first quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. The Steelers led 10-6 at halftime.
His struggles were especially evident in Sunday’s 20-3 loss to the New England Patriots. With Michael Pittman Jr. sidelined by a foot injury, Pittsburgh needed Metcalf to step up. Instead, he finished with just four receptions on nine targets for 27 yards.
Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf every play pic.twitter.com/tIAaVh4cZw
— SteelYinzer (@YinzerofSteel07) September 20, 2026
Drops have also become a major concern. After dropping two passes from Rodgers in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, Metcalf dropped two more against New England. One of those came late in the third quarter and would have moved the chains for a first down with Pittsburgh trailing only 10-3.
For a player expected to be one of Pittsburgh’s biggest offensive weapons, the early production simply has not been there.
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Rodgers still believes in his receiver
NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sep 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Despite Metcalf’s difficult start, Rodgers has not lost confidence in his veteran target. The 42-year-old quarterback took responsibility for the loss to New England, saying he was “not worried” about Metcalf’s production and would “keep on feeding him.”
That confidence could be tested quickly. Pittsburgh faces the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 before traveling to Cleveland to face the Browns on Thursday, Oct. 1, giving Metcalf two division games in just five days.
There is reason for optimism based on last season. Metcalf averaged 49.5 receiving yards in two games against Cincinnati and caught four passes for 95 yards in one matchup with Cleveland.
Still, if the Steelers are going to get the most from Metcalf, the quarterback-receiver connection must improve quickly. Rodgers continues to trust him, but Metcalf now needs to turn that trust into production.