Aaron Rodgers’ arrival at the Pittsburgh Steelers shook up the NFL landscape, finally putting an end to one of the last major unanswered storylines of the offseason. Paired with DK Metcalf, who joined Pittsburgh via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in March, the two now form one of the most intriguing duos heading into the 2025 season, and they’ve already started building chemistry.
An NFL insider revealed that the pair had known for some time they would be playing together this season, which led to them holding a private training session earlier in the offseason, well before the move was officially finalized on Thursday, June 5.
Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf Quietly Built Chemistry Before Pittsburgh Steelers Deal Was Done
A wide receiver’s relationship with his quarterback needs to be fully in sync for an NFL offense to thrive, especially when the two have never played together before. Rodgers has always been vocal about trusting certain players more than others, like Randall Cobb, who followed him from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets.
Earlier this offseason, Rodgers and Metcalf were seen working out together in a private session that was supposed to remain under wraps until it leaked online.
According to Ian Rapoport, the two began building chemistry during that session because they already knew they’d be playing together this season.
From @GMFB: Will DK Metcalf show up for minicamp? Well… the #Steelers WR has felt confident for a while in who his QB would be. pic.twitter.com/L33QchnRtV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 6, 2025
“Well, it sounds to me like DK Metcalf has probably had a pretty good idea that Aaron Rodgers would be his quarterback for some time. Remember, around the time of the league meetings, we reported that Rodgers and DK Metcalf had a, I guess, somewhat secret throwing session… Those two have begun to build a rapport.”
With minicamp underway, Metcalf is expected to participate, not necessarily to build a connection with Rodgers, but to stay in rhythm and continue adjusting to the system and team. Still, the fact that the two had already started training together shows Rodgers always intended to suit up for Pittsburgh.
“To me, that was always a really good sign that this thing was happening. When Rodgers and Metcalf first started throwing, you’re like, ‘All right, both those guys are not dummies. They know what’s about to happen. It hasn’t happened yet, but they want to start that process.’ That was an excellent sign for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Rapoport concluded.
What was once considered an offense full of question marks due to uncertainty at quarterback is now intriguing. While the receiver room still lacks depth behind Metcalf and Robert Woods, both newcomers, there’s now at least reason to believe the team can contend more seriously this season against top AFC opponents.
Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in his career, but pressure is mounting as the team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016, when Ben Roethlisberger was still under center. With Rodgers now in town, another 10-win season wouldn’t be enough to label 2025 a success.
Pittsburgh has been eliminated from the playoffs in its last three appearances by the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens, all led by elite quarterbacks and perennial AFC contenders. Rodgers might not completely change that landscape, but he at least makes things more interesting.
The Rodgers-Metcalf connection remains hypothetical for now. Until they take the field, it’s all just potential, but for the first time in a while, there’s a real sense of curiosity about what Rodgers can do with one of the most physically dominant receivers in the NFL.