DK Metcalf’s Fit in Pittsburgh Isn’t Clicking - and It’s Starting to Show
When George Pickens was traded to Dallas, it opened the door for DK Metcalf to step into the WR1 role in Pittsburgh. On paper, it looked like a perfect match: a big-bodied, physical receiver paired with a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.
Expectations were sky-high. But fast forward to December, and the reality hasn’t lived up to the billing.
Metcalf’s first season in black and gold has been underwhelming. He’s tracking to finish with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards and has only five touchdowns to his name. For a player brought in to be the focal point of the passing game, those numbers fall well short of what Pittsburgh hoped for - and what fans expected.
The biggest issue? The chemistry between Rodgers and Metcalf just hasn’t materialized.
Whether it’s timing, route precision, or simply a mismatch in playing styles, the two haven’t found a rhythm. And when your top target isn’t consistently getting open, that can throw an entire offense out of sync.
Former All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel Sr. didn’t hold back when discussing the situation. On his podcast, Say What Needs to Be Said, Samuel pointed the finger directly at Metcalf, saying the receiver’s inability to create separation is making Rodgers look “old and outplayed.”
“He’s a non-factor,” Samuel said. “He is most of the problem.
At the end of the day, Aaron Rodgers needs someone to throw to. He’s used to having elite receivers that can suddenly get open.
DK Metcalf can’t provide that for Aaron Rodgers.”
Samuel went on to highlight how Metcalf struggles against press coverage, which has been a recurring issue this season. According to him, Rodgers keeps trying to make it work, but the lack of separation is making the entire passing game look sluggish and outdated.
Now, is Metcalf solely to blame for Pittsburgh’s offensive woes? Not at all. The problems run deeper than one receiver.
Arthur Smith’s offense hasn’t exactly lit up the scoreboard. The run game has been stagnant, which has made the Steelers one-dimensional far too often.
The offensive line has struggled to protect Rodgers consistently, and outside of Metcalf, there’s no other real threat in the receiving corps to pull coverage away or stretch the field. It’s a perfect storm - and not in a good way.
Still, Metcalf was brought in to be the guy. And when you’re getting WR1 targets and attention, the expectations come with it. Fans are right to want more - more separation, more big plays, more impact.
Despite the offensive struggles, Pittsburgh isn’t out of the AFC North race just yet. Baltimore has its own issues, and Cincinnati needs a lot of help to stay in the mix.
But if the Steelers want to make any kind of postseason run, they need to figure things out - fast. That starts with getting Rodgers and Metcalf on the same page, finding some semblance of balance in the offense, and giving defenses more than one player to worry about.
Because right now, the Steelers’ offense is stuck in neutral - and time is running out.