Aaron Rodgers praises DK Metcalf, speaks on role in Steelers decision

Aaron Rodgers has always had that bonafide WR1 to work with from Jordy Nelson to Davante Adams to Garrett Wilson. Rodgers once again has that — this time in Pittsburgh — and his name is DK Metcalf.

The Steelers acquired the two-time Pro Bowl wideout from the Seattle Seahawks back in March. Pittsburgh landed Rodgers in early June after a multi-month pursuit of the four-time NFL MVP. Rodgers had nothing but praise for Metcalf during a Tuesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” The 41-year-old quarterback admitted Metcalf was a big part in him signing with the Steelers.

“DK is a lead by example guy,” Rodgers said. “He’s a big reason I’m in Pittsburgh as well. Conversations that we had and just the kind of person that he is. At the start of the year, I didn’t really know DK at all. He’s like, ‘I work out at 6 a.m. every day.’ I’m like, okay, this guy has discipline, this guy has a drive. I said, ‘How about 8 o’clock because I’m gonna have to drive from Malibu to UCLA?’ He said, ‘Yeah, that’s fine.’

“He’s not just a specimen, but he’s a really solid human being. He’s a solid, solid dude, and he leads by example. The way he practices — I think that’s one of the most encouraging things is the room goes how the top dog goes.”

Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf headline Steelers offseason acquisitions

Over six seasons in Seattle, Metcalf caught 438 passes for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns. He was the team’s leading receiver in three of those seasons. However, in a career-low 15 games this past season, Metcalf had his worst receiving output since his first year in the league with 66 receptions for 992 yards and five scores.

There’s not much experience — aside from Robert Woods — around Metcalf in Pittsburgh’s receiver corps. Metcalf will command the bulk of the targets, and Rodgers will be happy to pepper them his direction.

Rodgers is replacing Russell Wilson as the team’s QB1. Wilson and Metcalf spent three seasons together in Seattle. Metcalf said earlier this month he sees some similarities between both veteran signal callers.

“I will say they’re similar with how they approach the game,” Metcalf said. “They’re very professional, going to hold people accountable in the offense and in the team setting. They’re going to work their butts off when they’re out here and they’re going to make you come up to their level of competitiveness out there on the grass.

“So, that’s what I like about them. The difference is they’re two completely different people, two completely different quarterbacks with how they play the game of football.”