The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly decided to make a big move by trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf. This news has left fans buzzing with one key question: will quarterback Russell Wilson be joining him again on the field? The two athletes shared three seasons together with the Seahawks and have maintained a close friendship since. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, however, this deal isn’t intertwined with any plans involving Wilson. But former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has a different take.
Griffin, like many others, had plenty to say about the Metcalf trade. He tweeted, “Russell Wilson should be back as the Steelers QB.” To back up his claim, Griffin highlighted how Metcalf achieved his highest yards, touchdowns, and win totals while playing with Wilson. Over the last few seasons, Metcalf has been catching passes from Geno Smith—who is now also being talked about in trade discussions by Seattle.
Robert Griffin III’s tweet, filled with stats, goes like this: “DK Metcalf to the Steelers is BRILLIANT. Most yards in a season of DK’s Career? With Russell Wilson. Most TDs in a season? You guessed it, with Wilson. Same goes for wins. Hence, Wilson should be back as Steelers QB.”
Now, let’s consider the idea of the Steelers potentially reuniting Wilson with Metcalf and what that could mean for the upcoming season. Although Wilson and Metcalf have excellent chemistry, as seen from their 216 completions for 3,170 yards and 29 touchdowns between 2019-2021, this decision involves evaluating 2025’s bigger picture. While their completion rate wasn’t perfect, Metcalf thrives as a downfield threat, boasting a career average depth of target of 12.7 yards, which climbed even higher during his time with Wilson.
The Steelers’ strategy might seem logical if they were planning to bring back Wilson, considering Metcalf’s evident fit in a scheme that aligns with Wilson’s strengths. However, simply adding Metcalf doesn’t automatically guarantee that bringing Wilson back would be the right choice.
Remember, Russell Wilson is still the same player the Steelers observed last season. Even with Metcalf—and potentially George Pickens—at his disposal, questions linger. Injuries did disrupt the team last year, impacting Pickens’ availability. Nevertheless, those two would certainly strengthen any quarterback’s target list.
Truth be told, any quarterback donning the Steelers jersey would relish the chance to work with a receiver of Metcalf’s caliber. Whether it’s Justin Fields, Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, or even aspiring player Jaxson Dart, any QB would love the idea of throwing to such an imposing athlete.
Across his six-season career, DK Metcalf has amassed 438 receptions, delivering 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns. His career yards-per-catch average stands at 14.4, slightly better when paired with Russell Wilson. Meanwhile, last season saw George Pickens averaging 15.3 yards per catch, and Calvin Austin III at 15.2. Wilson delivered similar figures with Pickens and Austin, reinforcing that if reuniting with Wilson, Metcalf would certainly bring an explosive capability.
The lingering question remains: Does integrating Metcalf truly elevate the Steelers, especially under Wilson’s leadership, considering they lost their last five games in 2024, never managing more than 17 points? Sure, we can blame scheduling quirks, tough opponents, or injuries. But as a frontrunner team, falling short when heading into playoffs isn’t a luxury they can afford to risk. The challenge is determining if Wilson can lead them effectively this time around.
