Receiver DK Metcalf's representation posted on social media Thursday that the star receiver signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers reached agreement with the Seattle Seahawks to trade for Metcalf on Sunday. It just became official on Thursday, adding one of the sport's most exciting players to an organization known for offensive stagnation in recent years.
In fact, Metcalf and George Pickens could challenge the elite receiving duos of Pittsburgh's illustrious past, whether it be the Super Bowl-winning days of Lynn Swann or the ever-polarizing Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The only problem with this is the Steelers still don't have a starting quarterback. Mason Rudolph, who signed on Thursday, sits atop the depth chart, but he is merely a serviceable backup.
If he is Pittsburgh's starting quarterback in Week 1, something will have gone very wrong.
The Steelers are waiting for the aging Aaron Rodgers to drink from the fountain of youth and get off the beach and into the building. If Rodgers opts to retire, they'll be forced to pivot.
They could go with Rudolph as their starter. But with optimism already at a new low following another season without a playoff win, such an idea feels mutinous. Pittsburgh could inject optimism with a rookie, although picking 21st in a mediocre class could take that off the board.
Perhaps the likeliest non-Rodgers option is bringing back Russell Wilson. They could also sign a mediocre veteran quarterback like Jameis Winston, pay him an inflated salary and start him.
This is a significant problem for Pittsburgh. It could very well be like the Miami Dolphins of 2024. When Tua Tagovailoa went down, Miami was stuck with backup quarterbacks incapable of getting the ball downfield to Pro Bowl receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Miami had all of that speed and skill at the receiver position, and none of the arm talent necessary to take advantage of it.
Without their starter, the Dolphins consistently checked down to their running backs. Waddle had the worst season of his career. Hill posted his lowest statistical numbers since his rookie season.
This is the equivalent of having a Lamborghini and not taking it out past second gear. There is no use in having all of that power in your garage unless you know how to use it.
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Pittsburgh, currently, has two burners on the outside and no one to get the ball to them.
Perhaps Mike Tomlin could put out an APB for Rodgers and get him in the building before his receiving corps grows frustrated. It's not like Rodgers, an octogenarian if there ever was one, is getting any younger.
The Steelers have caught their biggest fish of the offseason, but their next move will be the most important.
Related: DK Metcalf Trade Complicates Steelers Decision for George Pickens
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This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 8:29 PM.