The move to trade for star receiver DK Metcalf this offseason was one the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to make. Despite having the presence of George Pickens already on the roster as that downfield threat, the Steelers needed a true No. 1 receiver who could create chaos and make life difficult for not only defenders, but defensive coordinators.
That’s what Metcalf brings as an all-encompassing receiver who has the attention of everyone, snap after snap.
For Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin, who sat down in a 1-on-1 interview with Steelers.com’s Max Starks during the NFL’s owners meetings, Metcalf is a guy who controls how coverages are called and how defenses try to defend him play after play.
Tomlin would know, too, considering his defensive coaching background in the NFL. And the fact that the Steelers had to deal with Metcalf as recently as 2023 on the road in Seattle.
“For someone that organizes defensive efforts for the larger part of my career, I can’t underscore the significance of a guy like DK. It’s not only the plays that he makes, it’s the schematics that a guy like him controls,” Tomlin said of Metcalf, according to video via Steelers.com. “We’ve competed against him as recently as 2023, and I just noted when you’re playing DK Metcalf, man, it controls how you call coverage. You’re very cognizant of one-on-one matchups.
“And so, there’s a statistical component of his contributions, but there’s also an intangible component of his contributions that get distributed across an offensive unit to others that’s equally as exciting,” Tomlin added. “He’s a difference maker. He is really significant. And so we’re really excited about acquiring him.”
Metcalf is certainly a difference maker. Having him within an offense can open up a lot of things, both in the passing game and in the running game. Teams will have to commit resources toward trying to slow him down in the passing game, which will open things up for the likes of George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and Calvin Austin III through the air. It should also lighten the box and create more running room for guys like Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell on the ground.
During the 2023 season in Week 17 in Seattle, NFL Films captured Tomlin speaking highly of Metcalf throughout the game. At one point, Steelers’ defensive coordinator Teryl Austin asked Tomlin who he wanted to double, since resources were limited. Tomlin didn’t think twice. “Fourteen.”
Of course, that was Metcalf’s number.
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In that game, which the Steelers ultimately won, Metcalf had five receptions for 106 yards on eight targets. The Seahawks threw for 290 yards in that game, but quarterback Geno Smith had 18 completions elsewhere. The Seahawks’ offense couldn’t do much of anything unless Metcalf was involved. No other receiver had over 59 yards receiving.
For the Steelers, having a player like Pickens opposite him, and potentially having a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers — who had a throwing session with Metcalf over the weekend in UCLA — throwing the ball, things could really open up due to Metcalf’s presence. It could make things nightmarish for opposing defenses.
That’s why the Steelers went after Metcalf in a major way. Hopefully it pays off on the field.
