When it comes to WR DK Metcalf and the Steelers, the adage “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” applies. While the Steelers have beaten the Seahawks twice in the three games in which they faced Metcalf, he was always a handful. That’s according to Cameron Heyward, who was around for all three of those games.
In 2023, Metcalf caught five passes on eight targets against the Steelers for 106 yards. The Steelers won, but Metcalf did all he could in that late-December game.
“Playing against DK has been some of the roughest times”, the Steelers captain said on Good Morning Football. “I think when we played him the last time, all we did was circle him every single play. He requires that much time and effort in just your film process, making sure you have a plan around him. So bringing him over, we’re excited”.
A former second-round pick, Metcalf before joining the Steelers was a Pro Bowler for the Seahawks. Over six seasons, he caught 438 passes for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns. He spent the first half of his career working with former Steelers QB Russell Wilson, which were more productive scoring-wise. Last season, he dealt with some injury issues, which may have affected his effectiveness.
This offseason, the Steelers sent a second-round pick to the Seahawks for DK Metcalf. They gave him a five-year, $150 million contract, of which the first two years are guaranteed. That is the first time the Steelers have made such a gesture in a contract for a player from the outside, a not insignificant gesture.
Quite obviously, the Steelers view Metcalf as a key part of the nucleus of their future. Despite six full NFL seasons under his belt, he is still just 27, so can certainly have another productive half-decade. Of course, it would help both parties if they could bring the quarterback dilemma to a close.
Whoever is throwing the ball for the Steelers, though, Heyward believes Metcalf just makes their offense that much more potent, particularly for their other top receiver. “I’m excited to bring him onto the team. I feel like him and George Pickens can create a lot of matchups that work in our favor”.
Pittsburgh appears set to allow Pickens play out his rookie contract, the last year of which is in 2025. Perhaps the Steelers will evaluate his future based on how he meshes with Metcalf this season. They already have a commitment to the latter, but is there a scenario in which they could pay both?
The Bengals have a franchise quarterback, and they just paid two wide receivers, so it’s doable. The problem is the Steelers haven’t seen the kind of production from Pickens to justify the commitment they made to DK Metcalf. As Heyward said, they already know from planning to defend him what kind of issues he poses to opponents. They want to make sure that they exploit that. At a minimum, they will have the next two years to figure it all out.
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