Russell Wilson and George Pickens formed a solid connection for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. This year, however, both of those players are gone. The Steelers have a new starting quarterback and number one wide receiver in Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, respectively. Both of them have experience playing at a high level in the NFL. However, it’s unclear how effective they’ll be as a duo. Analyst Charles McDonald believes they’ll have at least one notable misfire in Week 1 against the New York Jets.
“I think DK Metcalf will be on the wrong end of a Sauce Gardner interception,” McDonald said Thursday on the Football 301 podcast. “I think the Jets match up pretty well with the Steelers’ offense… We know Aaron [Rodgers], he likes his go-balls. He likes to operate quickly…
“DK Metcalf is going to get his chances… Aaron is going to have to throw to DK because who else is he going to throw to? I think there’s a chance that Sauce Gardner, actually not a chance, a lock, that Sauce Gardner on the go-ball gets an interception on DK Metcalf this weekend.”
Gardner is the Jets’ number one corner. In only three years in the NFL, he’s morphed into one of the best players at his position. He’s a two-time First-team All-Pro, and two-time Pro Bowler. While he had a down season in 2024, the same can be said for much of the Jets’ roster.
It remains to be seen whether or not Gardner will follow Metcalf in Week 1. However, considering that corner depth isn’t one of the Jets’ strengths, that might be a wise decision.
That could prove to be a difficult matchup for Metcalf. His size is a large reason why he wins many battles. However, Gardner might prove hard to push around. He’s a big, long corner. While Metcalf still has some size on him, Gardner is one of the few corners that can match his physicality.
In the past, Metcalf and Gardner have faced each other twice. The first game came in 2022, and Metcalf had a bad day. Against Gardner and the Jets’ defense, he only posted one catch for three yards.
Their second meeting went a little better for Metcalf, but it still wasn’t anything to write home about. Metcalf recorded four catches for 66 yards during that game last year.
While Metcalf hasn’t been great against Gardner, that might be different with Rodgers throwing him the ball. It’s important to note that Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history at not throwing interceptions. He has thrown double-digit picks four times in his 20-year career.
Therefore, it’s a little bold to call Rodgers throwing a pick in Week 1 a lock. However, he has been a slow starter in recent years, and with him being on a new team, it wouldn’t be surprising if Rodgers looks a little rusty against the Jets. Gardner may intercept him, but that is not guaranteed.
