For a year, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been swinging for the fences at receiver. On Sunday night, they finally hit their home run.
The Steelers traded their 2025 second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for receiver DK Metcalf and the right to sign him to a new extension, per Tom Pelissero.
Pittsburgh immediately signed him to a four-year, $132 million deal that will kick in after the $18 million he'll make in 2025.
Instantly, Metcalf became one of the most expensive receivers in the league, with his extension trailing only Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb in total and average annual value ($33 million). In doing so, the trade complicates the Steelers' George Pickens decision.
Pickens and Metcalf combine to make one of the league's most talented receiving duos. Few, if any, can match the kind of size, speed, strength, and above-the-rim prowess that make each of them elite downfield threats. If the Steelers can find a quarterback capable of consistently stretching the field, the ingredients are there for an explosive offense, not to mention the downstream effects it would have on the ground game.
However, Metcalf might be the least-compatible receiver target given the current room. Filling a need on the boundary was necessary, but doing so with Metcalf's skill set is comically redundant. Per Pro Football Focus, Pickens saw 30 percent of his targets more than 20 yards downfield, posted upwards of 30 yards per reception on those passes, and caught 36 passes for 283 yards on passes between zero and nine yards downfield. Alas, 30 percent of Metcalf's targets were 20+ yards downfield and earned over 30 yards per reception, and 284 yards came on those short passes.
At least one of them is going to have to take on an outsized role short of the sticks and away from the X position; neither is considered particularly versatile or well-equipped for such a transition.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will be tasked with making it work, and it very well could. But for how long?
Pickens is entering a contract year, and there isn't any reason to think he wouldn't command top dollar in a similar fashion to Metcalf. The Steelers could franchise tag him to keep him around for another year, but are they willing to pay $60 million per year for two receivers with similar skill sets?
Related: Steelers Draft Target Speeds Into First-Round Consideration at Scouting Combine
Pittsburgh's initial answer to that question could come quickly. These two receivers, on paper, don't mesh. Trading Pickens for a pick and the potential to find a better fit, though, remains possible.
It isn't clear how eager the Steelers are to go back to an older, more expensive, square one. Life with two-star receivers might be more fun, but it won't necessarily be simpler, meaning Pittsburgh's passing offense could become one of the most intriguing storylines of the coming months.
Related: What Is Steelers Plan for Jaylen Warren?
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This story was originally published March 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM.
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