The Pittsburgh Steelers finally fulfilled their year-long journey to find a co-star for receiver in George Pickens.
They sent a second-round pick and change to the Seattle Seahawks for receiver DK Metcalf and the right to pay him four years and $132 million after the $18 million remaining on his contract in 2025.
While it fell short of upsetting the power balance in the AFC, it did signal an acknowledgement from Pittsburgh’s front office that an improved passing game was necessary. Metcalf isn’t quite sure who will be throwing to him in 2025, but there were other, less important questions to answer first.
While Metcalf was turning low-percentage passes into highlight plays, he was doing so in No. 14 – the same as Pickens.
Social media instantly speculated about who would get precedence, and what Metcalf would have to give Pickens to get that number. Some, pointing to the volatility of both targets, expected things to get ugly.
The Steelers’ newest star solved the jersey number mystery at his opening press conference on Thursday.
“He’s been here, he’s been a staple in the No. 14,” Metcalf told reporters. “I’m not trying to take away from anybody’s legacy. I’m just trying to build mine.”
Pittsburgh also posted on their social media feed a No. 4 jersey, announcing Metcalf’s new number.
Whatever he’s wearing, he’ll be expected to produce in 2025. As the game’s premier size/speed/strength threat on the boundary, Metcalf has posted 6,324 yards in six seasons, complete with three 1,000-yard campaigns and 992 yards in 2024.
Acquiring a player of Metcalf’s talent allows the Steelers to free up Pickens and take advantage of the two-high coverages teams will use more frequently to prevent the top from being taken off the defense. This should open more running lanes, letting offensive coordinator Arthur Smith coordinate the ground game more efficiently (even if it upsets the fanbase).
The only flaw in the Steelers’ plan may be the stylistic conflicts that come with two redundant skill sets on the boundary. Perhaps Smith makes it work and it becomes a non-issue, but it seems like one of either Pickens or Metcalf will be shoehorned into a less-than-ideal role.
Their ability to make it work could decide Pittsburgh’s season.
