When it comes to wide receiver DK Metcalf and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the old saying “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” couldn’t be more fitting. Although the Steelers have emerged victorious in two out of the three games they faced Metcalf on the Seattle Seahawks, he’s consistently been a formidable opponent. That’s the perspective from Cameron Heyward, who participated in all three of those matchups.
During their 2023 encounter, Metcalf caught five out of eight passes against the Steelers, racking up a solid 106 yards. The Steelers came out on top, yet Metcalf pushed hard throughout that tense game in late December.
“Going head-to-head with DK has been some of the toughest experiences,” the Steelers’ captain commented on Good Morning Football. “I recall during our last face-off, we had him marked on every single play. He demands such focused planning just in your film study alone. So, bringing him onto our team, we’re really excited.”
Metcalf, originally drafted in the second round, made a name for himself as a Pro Bowler with the Seahawks. Over six seasons, his stats included 438 catches for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns. The early phase of his career was marked by a productive partnership with former Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson, leading to more scoring opportunities. However, last season he grappled with some injuries which might have impacted his game.
In an unexpected offseason move, the Steelers traded a second-round pick to the Seahawks to acquire DK Metcalf. They inked a five-year, $150 million deal with him, guaranteeing the first two years. For the Steelers, this is a significant first—offering such a lucrative contract to a player from outside the organization.
Clearly, the Steelers envision Metcalf as a central figure in their future plans. Though he’s logged six full seasons in the NFL, he’s only 27, which means he still has several productive years ahead. Solving their quarterback situation would definitely enhance both Metcalf’s and the team’s performance.
Regardless of who ends up as the Steelers’ quarterback, Heyward is confident that Metcalf boosts their offensive power, particularly for their other standout wide receiver. “I’m thrilled to have him on the squad. I think he and George Pickens can create a lot of advantageous matchups for us,” Heyward added.
Pittsburgh seems prepared to let Pickens complete his rookie contract, which expires at the end of the 2025 season. The Steelers may assess his future based on his synergy with Metcalf this year. They’ve already placed their faith in Metcalf, but the question remains whether they could eventually afford to retain both players.
Looking at the Bengals—who have managed to pay two receivers while having a franchise quarterback—it seems plausible. The issue is the Steelers haven’t yet seen Pickens deliver the kind of production that justifies their investment in Metcalf. As Heyward pointed out, they’re well aware of the challenges Metcalf presents to defenders. They’re determined to capitalize on those strengths. At the very least, they have the next couple of years to work it all out.
