Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf speaks at a press conference about his contract signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Thursday, March 13, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider provided in-depth details in a recent interview on why the Pittsburgh Steelers were the trade partner for All-Pro wide receiver DK Metcalf. It came down to the Steelers being super aggressive. The Steelers brass really wanted Metcalf in the Black and Gold.
“Pittsburgh, Omar (Khan), those guys were really aggressive,” Schneider said on the 3 & Out Podcast. “In regards to DK, we had a ton of conversations last offseason about his legacy and where he wanted to go. Once he met the new coaching staff, he was excited. And then this year, it just happened, and again, you can’t change the way people think. As much as we love him and want to have him here when people want to leave, it’s difficult to try to convince them to stay. Once we got back from the Combine, we had another real open talk. Then we told him we would concede to his wishes. No promises, but we’ll see where it goes.”
As part of the deal, Pittsburgh also gave Metcalf a massive five-year, $150 million contract. Schneider revealed in an interview with Rich Eisen in May that Metcalf’s trade request was never about money.
“No, it really wasn’t [salary-related]. It was interesting because it wasn’t like animosity, either. It was like, he really, really wanted a fresh start,” Schneider said. “And it’s not like we went into the offseason thinking this would be a possibility, but he was just pretty dug into it. So it ended up working out for both clubs, working out for us and working out for Pittsburgh. We wish him the best. He’s a great guy and obviously a high-end competitor.”
The Steelers were more than happy to be on the other side of the deal. They’re getting a 27-year-old wide receiver who has never had less than 900 yards and five touchdowns in each of his first six seasons.
The acquisition of Metcalf also allowed Pittsburgh to move on from wide receiver George Pickens, who brought his fair share of on- and off-the-field distractions over the past three years.
So while the Steelers wide receiver room may look about the same as last season, they are feeling much better about the make up of it heading into 2025.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) gets past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson (20) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Metcalf’s 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame was the biggest attraction to the Steelers.
“Size. He [DK Metcalf] did a press conference, right? Yeah. I mean, you saw him. He’s a playmaker. I’m really enjoying getting to know him,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL owners meetings in March. “I think you guys will too. He has a desire to win and be great, and I love that about him, and I am just excited about what he’s going to bring to the club.”
Khan said Metcalf was aware of the Steelers’ plans at quarterback and was on board before signing his five-year, $150 million deal with the team.
“We had a lot of conversations,” Khan said. “He had conversations with the coaches and myself about the roster and the team, and we had some candid conversations, and he knew what our plans were. It’s still all coming together.”
Of course, after nearly a three months wait, Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers in early June.
The All-Pro wide receiver is chomping at the bit to learn from the four-time NFL MVP quarterback.
“Just how cerebral he is and how he views the game,” Metcalf said. “I like the way he views the game from a receiver’s standpoint, but also from a quarterback’s standpoint. I think I can gain a lot of knowledge just from being around him because he’s seen a lot of football. Just trying to soak up as much information as I can.”
DK Metcalf believes Rodgers’ skillset fits his game perfectly.
“How quickly he releases the ball and me getting off the line of scrimmage fast is one thing that stands out first,” he said.
Aaron Becker provided reporting for this story.
Mentioned In This Article: DK Metcalf John Schneider Omar Khan Pittsburgh Steelers Seattle Seahawks Steelers Steelers News