The Pittsburgh Steelers started this offseason with a bang when they traded for DK Metcalf. While it was a surprising move, it was also a sign of things to come. Since then, the Steelers have made several more splash moves to improve their roster. However, Metcalf might be their most exciting addition. Unlike some of their other ones, Metcalf should still have several years left in his prime, and he’s locked in with the Steelers for the foreseeable future. Former NFL offensive lineman Kyle Long is excited.
“This makes me happy for DK Metcalf, who is widely unappreciated, I think,” Long said Monday on the Pushing the Pile podcast. “So many west coast guys, they’re three hours behind us during football season. A lot of people don’t even get the pleasure of watching a guy like DK Metcalf.
“Everybody understands that there is a physical specimen that has played in Seattle for the last handful of years. Now, they get to see him in the black-and-blue division. They get to see him with Aaron Rodgers. So many more eyeballs are going to be on DK Metcalf.”
Metcalf has been in the league since 2019, and in that time, he’s made two Pro Bowls and been named a second-team All-Pro once. He also has one of the most impressive builds of any wide receiver in the league. Metcalf is massive, but that doesn’t hinder his athleticism. There aren’t many players built in his archetype.
However, like Long says, Metcalf has flown under the radar slightly in recent years. His name isn’t mentioned as often in the conversations about the best receivers in the NFL.
That has less to do with Metcalf and more with the overwhelming amount of talent at receiver. It’s one of the most loaded positions in the NFL, and the players at the top, like Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase, are special. However, their talents shouldn’t diminish how great Metcalf is.
Last year, Metcalf posted 66 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns. This season, he’s got a prime opportunity to improve those numbers. If Aaron Rodgers can play at a decent level, he and Metcalf could be a dynamic duo. They’ve been working hard to build chemistry, even before Rodgers signed with the Steelers. The 2025 season could be a significant one for Metcalf.