The Pittsburgh Steelers made a big decision to trade for superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf in the 2025 offseason. Metcalf comes to Pittsburgh with sky-high expectations, viewed as the elite and physical target that can elevate Aaron Rodgers in his first year with the team. After falling short in 2024, the Steelers went all-in on building around Rodgers, and acquiring Metcalf signaled their commitment to creating a top-tier offense built to win now.
Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner added another layer to the drama during his appearance on the Up & Adams show with Kay Adams. Gardner made it clear he knows how to get under Metcalf’s skin and throw him off his game. The two have faced off before, and Gardner said he’s ready for the challenge of shutting down Pittsburgh’s newest offensive weapon. His comments bring a fiery edge to a Week 1 matchup that already feels like a playoff game.
"Me and DK [Metcalf] don’t even talk," Gardner said on Up & Adams. "When he gets mad about something, he wants to block you he**a hard. That’s his thing. I feel like I can get to him, but that’s how he takes his anger out."
The two have faced each other twice in their careers. Their first matchup came in 2023 when Gardner largely shut down Metcalf. Metcalf caught just one pass for three yards and scored no touchdowns. Despite being targeted five times, he only managed to secure that single catch, making it a very frustrating game as Gardner clearly had the upper hand.
In 2024, Metcalf had a slightly better showing against the Jets. He caught four of his nine targets and finished with 66 receiving yards, showing some ability to get past the defense as a downfield threat. Still, it was a difficult game for him to consistently get open. Overall, neither matchup was a standout performance for Metcalf, as both were mostly forgettable in terms of impact.
Gardner’s recent comments add even more excitement to a game already full of revenge storylines. Now that Metcalf will clearly hear Gardner’s words, it only adds motivation for him to have a huge performance in Week 1 when they face off once again. All eyes will be on that star studded matchup of Metcalf versus Gardner.
Steelers' DK Metcalf Has Chance To Become Top Wide Receiver In The NFL During 2025 Season
Metcalf has been a star in the making during his first six seasons in the NFL. Now, the veteran arrives in Pittsburgh for his seventh NFL season. Over those six years, Metcalf has racked up 438 catches for 6,324 receiving yards and scored 48 touchdowns. He has recorded three seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, while in the other three seasons he had 900 or more yards.
Metcalf has been consistent throughout his career, but now with Rodgers as his quarterback, he has a real chance to become one of the best wide receivers in the league. In a wide receiver room where he is the clear number one option, the time is now for Metcalf to show why he earned top receiver money. Many believe he can do it in 2025 and prove he is one of the greatest in the league. Doing it against Gardner in Week 1 would be a great message for Metcalf to send to Steeler Nation.
