The Pittsburgh Steelers were reluctant to play their starters during all three preseason games. The only ones who did play were either rookies or young players still trying to make their mark in the league. Some of their key offensive players, including Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, didn’t see any reps together during any of the three games.
The Steelers have earned some criticism for that. However, they remain confident in their decision, and Metcalf shares that confidence.
“Nah,” Metcalf said after practice on Wednesday, via Steelers.com. “That’s everybody else’s worry, not mine.”
With the Steelers’ offense being so young, a decent number of players got reps. All three running backs saw time, and some of the younger starters on the offensive line also got a handful of snaps.
However, the Steelers’ quarterback and WR1 were not on the field. Aside from DK Metcalf, even the Steelers’ potential WR2, Calvin Austin III, missed the entire preseason with an injury. Rodgers has never played with this receiving core before, so having some extra in-stadium reps could have been a good thing.
However, Metcalf thinks the Steelers are getting a fine test with the defense they practice against every day.
“I mean, going against this defense will definitely prepare you for that,” Metcalf said. “Also, just making sure we’re in football shape out there. Taking those reps serious in practice, always finishing in the end zone, finishing the rep, and then using those as our game reps.”
That defense certainly has been a test. With some injuries and rest days throughout training camp, the offense did have its moments. However, it’s more than fair to say the defense got the best of them for the better part of camp. Of course, practice and actual games are different. But this offense is still practicing against one of the best units in the league.
There are also obvious drawbacks to playing their starters in the preseason. For example, Pittsburgh is already down one starter with Derrick Harmon injuring his knee against the Panthers. Even though he was injured, playing Harmon made sense as he’s a rookie.
For veterans like DK Metcalf, it makes less sense. There isn’t enough potential benefit to take that risk, at least that’s what the Steelers decided. They’ve had plenty of time to figure things out, which is something Metcalf is confident they’ve done.
