The Pittsburgh Steelers are changing their philosophy with the new DK Metcalf contract. Metcalf’s deal comes out to just under $33 million per year, but that is not what made the deal is tendency-breaking for the Steelers.
According to former NFL agent Joel Corry, Metcalf’s new contract is the first time the Steelers have shelled out a full second year guarantee to a contract was not at the top of the market. Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt recently got those assurances, but both deals re-set the market.
Players such as Alex Highsmith and Patrick Queen did not get that in their deals, so this appears to be a shift in philosophy for the Steelers, and could open them up to bigger deals in the future in free agency.
Metcalf’s five-year, $150 million deal was the largest gross amount of money towards a wide receiver in NFL history before Ja’Marr Chase broke that earlier this week. Metcalf becomes the sixth-highest-paid wide receiver on average per year with the deal.
The Steelers handed out the largest contract in team history with the deal. Technically, since Metcalf was not a free agent, that record still belongs to Queen’s three-year, $41 million deal from last year. Though, if you were to just count outside additions, Metcalf would be the franchise record.
Metcalf is an explosive playmaker who led the NFL in 20 or more yards receptions in 2024. He has a skill set similar to the team’s other standout wide receiver, George Pickens, but the two-time Pro Bowler adds a dynamic element to an offense that badly needs talent.
BETTING: Check out our guide to thebest PA sportsbooks, where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks.