DK Metcalf secured the bag. Now, he’s waiting on the Pittsburgh Steelers to secure a quarterback. If they strike out, Metcalf might come to regret making the move to Pittsburgh. ESPN’s Chris Russo made the case for Metcalf making the wrong move.
“I understand he got $150 million and maybe Seattle didn’t wanna pay him that kind of money,” he said on First Take Wednesday morning. “But he goes to Pittsburgh, and they don’t have a quarterback. So the receiver wants the huge money. But the bigger issue is you gotta have the quarterback to throw you the football. Because you gotta wanna score touchdowns and have a thousand yards, receptions, and have 20 TDs. And half these receivers need a great quarterback.”
Pittsburgh’s quarterback plans remain murky with the team in a holding pattern as Aaron Rodgers decides his future. The New York Giants and Steelers are strongest contenders to add him though whispers about the Minnesota Vikings and possibly even retirement have also been floated.
Receivers are dependent on quarterbacks to get them the ball. Even elite talent can be hamstrung by a lack of talent. Antonio Brown looked junior varsity without Ben Roethlisberger playing, especially during the 2015 season after Mike Vick briefly took over the starting job.
“So Metcalf gets the [$150 million],” Russo said, “he’s gonna go to Pittsburgh and I guarantee by Week 5 when [Russell] Wilson can’t give him the ball, he’s gonna be moaning and groaning, ‘What am I doing here?’ when he gets no targets.”
Russo added that going to a team without a quarterback is “ridiculous.”
While Wilson isn’t an elite quarterback, his skill set suits Metcalf well. A moon-ball thrower meshes with Metcalf’s strengths as a vertical threat. The two also have chemistry from three years in Seattle where Metcalf put up some of his best numbers, including over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in their final two seasons together.
In typical Russo fashion, his point is brash and over the top but has some semblance of truth. Metcalf will have to thrive in a run-heavy offense while competing with George Pickens for targets with a quarterback who won’t be in the top 10 of anyone’s lists regardless of whether it’s Rodgers or Wilson. His bank account is guaranteed to look good, but Metcalf will want his box score to match. If not, like with most receivers, the team will hear about it.
