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The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised some people when they signed wide receiver DK Metcalf to a four-year extension last season that is worth up to $132 million.
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While Metcalf has had All-Pro seasons in the past with the Seahawks, his career was seen, by some, as being on the downturn after leaving Seattle. After one pedestrian season last year and a rough start to 2026, many Steelers fans are fed up with the wide receiver.
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Metcalf is in his second year with the Pittsburgh Steelers and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but he has looked like a shell of himself so far this season.
His Week 2 performance against the New England Patriots was only the latest example of his disappointing tenure in the Steel City.
DK Metcalf Disappears Against the Patriots
DK Metcalf finished the Steeler’s 20-3 drubbing by the Patriots with just 4 receptions for 27 yards and 0 TDs. Patriots star cornerback Christian Gonzalez completely shut Metcalf down when he was guarding him. Of his 27 yards on Sunday, 16 came on one reception, so Metcalf averaged less than four yards per reception on his other three catches on the day.
But perhaps the biggest issue that has plagued Metcalf season is his drops. He had two more on Sunday after having one in the opening game the week prior.
One of the drops came on a critical third down that would have given the sputtering Steelers’ offense some momentum.
After the game, Metcalf said his day was ¨very frustrating,¨ while also saying that his teammates were ¨telling me to keep my head up and everything, but I just gotta be better.”
But other people outside of the Steelers locker room also weighed in on his performance.
Steve Smith says DK Metcalf is pressing
Former Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens great wide receiver Steve Smith had over 1,000 receptions, 14,731 yards and 81 TDs during his 16-year career. So it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about a thing or two.
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Smith was on ESPN this week giving his opinion on Metcalf’s struggles.
¨Pittsburgh is in trouble and DK Metcalf, he’s pressing,¨ Smith said. ¨Last year, these first two weeks, [he had] seven catches, 103 yards and a touchdown. Right now? Not a lot. He’s put in a position that he’s just not used to, and he’s looking for the home run hit, and you can’t play that way.¨
Smith also gave some props to Gonzalez, whom he called ¨one of the best corners out there¨and a ¨shutdown corner for sure.¨
Through the first two games, Metcalf has just 8 receptions on 19 targets for 67 yards and 0 TDs to go along with his three drops.
Ben Roethlisberger weighs in on Metcalf’s struggles
Former Steelers great Ben Roethlisberger also seems to think Metcalf’s struggles are mental. On his podcast, he encouraged the wide out to rely on his years of experience to get out of his slump.
¨If I was talking to DK, I would say ‘hey DK let me ask you a question. How many footballs have you caught in your life?´¨ Roethlisberger said.
He estimated that throughout his life, Metcalf has probably caught hundreds of thousands of footballs. ¨You know how to do it. Don’t overthink it, just play. Just be you,¨Roethlisberger said.
But then the future Hall of Famer also put some of the onus on the Steelers’ play calling as well. He said the team’s attempts to throw screens to him and get him involved early in the game were not complementary to his skill set.
¨To me, in watching DK Metcalf, his game is not like let me run a shallow cross. Let me run a five yard in route, out route. Let me catch a screen. Yeah he can do those things, but let’s send that guy down the field. Let’s send him deep and let him go up and high-point balls, let him run under the ball… those catches are different,¨ Roethlisberger said.
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This story was originally published September 23, 2026 at 12:03 PM.