The Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL season has come to a close. Because the Steelers are among the 31 teams who did not finish fulfilling their ultimate goal, they are in the process of wrapping up their season and moving forward into 2026.
Since the Steelers conduct exit interviews with all their players, and the fact I have done these articles in the past, we thought we would do them yet again here at Steel Curtain Network. By outlining two players each day, we will be able to look at their season in retrospect as well as looking toward the future. Since the Steelers have historically started their interviews with rookies and those heading into free agency, we will attempt to do the same to some degree. To start, we will pair the most recent draftees with another player at the same position (if possible) as we work through this process to eventually cover the entire Steelers roster.
Next up are wide receivers DK Metcalf and Ben Skowronek.
DK Metcalf
Position: Wide Receiver
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 7
Contract Status: Signed through 2029
Contract Details: $31,000,000 salary cap hit for 2026. Would cost the Steelers $24,000,000 in dead money if released and save $7,000,000.
Games played in 2025: 15 regular season, 1 postseason
Games started in 2025: 15 regular season, 1 postseason
Snaps (regular season): 776 (offense), 7 (special teams)
PFF score: 71.1 (41st of 128)
Notable stats: Metcalf had 59 receptions on 99 targets for 850 receiving yards with 6 touchdowns. Metcalf also had 3 rushes for 12 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Notes: Being suspended for the final two regular season games the 2025 season almost destined DK Metcalf to be the Steelers scapegoat for the year. After dropping the Week 17 game to the Browns, the Steelers pulled off a win over the Ravens to make the postseason to give Metcalf some redemption and to return for the playoffs. But missing those two games made it where Metcalf did not reach 1000 yards for the season. In fact, it was Metcalf‘s lowest receiving yard total for a season in his seven year career. But being the Steelers only viable option at wide receiver worked against him more than his favor last year. Hopefully Metcalf can get more help in 2026 in reducing so much coverage thrown his way.
Ben Skowronek
Position: Wide Receiver
Years with the Steelers: 2
Years in the NFL: 5
Contract Status: Signed through 2026
Contract Details: $2,765,000 salary cap hit for 2026. Would cost the Steelers $540,000 in dead money if released and save $2,225,000.
Games played in 2025: 17 regular season, 1 postseason
Games started in 2025: 3 regular season, 1 postseason
Snaps (regular season): 159 (offense), 310 (special teams)
PFF score: 67.7 (DNQ for Ranking)
Notable stats: Skowronek had 4 receptions on 6 targets for 69 receiving yards and a touchdown. Skowronek also had 21 tackles and a fumble recovery on special teams.
Notes: Even though he caught a touchdown on his first pass of the regular season, which was also the Steelers first touchdown of the season, Skowronek only had five more targets for three receptions the rest of the way. But in reality, anything the Steelers can get from Skowronek at wide receiver is a bonus as he is primarily a special teams player who was the AFC selection to the Pro Bowl in 2025. With the Steelers having several top-notch special teams players, Skowronek still will have to find a way to make the roster in 2026, but I don’t think it’ll be too difficult given his skill set as a gunner. But as a wide receiver, he’s basically, and should be, the last option on the depth chart.
Make sure you check back each day for another set of exit interviews. If you have missed any of the previous articles, they are listed here:
Derrick Harmon & Cam Heyward
Kaleb Johnson & Kenneth Gainwell
Jack Sawyer & Alex Highsmith
Yahya Black & Esezi Otomewo
Will Howard & Mason Rudolph
Carson Bruener & Malik Harrison
Donte Kent & Brandin Echols
Troy Fautanu & Calvin Anderson
Zach Frazier & Ryan McCollum
Roman Wilson & Scotty Miller
Payton Wilson & Cole Holcomb
Mason McCormick & Isaac Seumalo
Logan Lee & Isaiahh Loudermilk
Sebastian Castro & Kyle Dugger
Broderick Jones & Dylan Cook
Joey Porter Jr. & James Pierre
Keeanu Benton & Daniel Ekuale
Darnell Washington & Jonnu Smith
Nick Herbig & Jeremiah Moon
Cory Trice Jr. & Asante Samuel Jr.
Spencer Anderson & Max Scharping
Calvin Austin III & Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Connor Heyward & Pat Freiermuth
Aaron Rodgers & Skylar Thompson