The Pittsburgh Steelers are struggling at the completely wrong time. The team started off 4-1 but has gone just 2-5 since that point. The offense, in particular, has been disappointing lately.
The team had high expectations for the offense after adding quarterback Aaron Rodgers and trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf, but something just isn’t clicking. One former NFL quarterback recently ripped the team for the way Metcalf has been deployed.
Dan Orlovsky Says Steelers Are Not Playing to DK Metcalf’s Strengths
This past offseason, the Steelers sent a second-round pick and a seventh-round pick to the Seahawks for Metcalf and a sixth-round pick. The hope was that Metcalf would be the dominant No.1 receiver the team has desperately been missing.
Metcalf hasn’t been bad, but he’s played far from his best ball since being a Steeler.
On Thursday’s episode of ESPN’s “Get Up,” former quarterback and current analyst Dan Orlovsky questioned the way the Steelers have used Metcalf.
“They’ve taken DK Metcalf, and made DK Metcalf Wes Welker,” Orlovsky declared. “Metcalf, when he was with the Seahawks, it was every ball, down the field, big play, 11 yards per reception. Now it’s like under six.”
For what it’s worth, Welker is one of the best undrafted free agents of all time and was an elite receiver in his day. However, Welker was a shifty, slot receiver, while Metcalf is a big-bodied, possession receiver who has traditionally made plays down the field.
In Pittsburgh so far, Metcalf has 45 catches for 605 yards and five touchdowns. That’s solid production, but you’d expect more out of your WR1.
Metcalf’s average depth of target in 2025 is just 9.87 yards, which is by far the lowest of his career. PFSN’s WR Impact ranking gives Metcalf a 78.0 grade for his 2025 performance, which ranks 27th among all qualified receivers.
Steelers’ Struggles on Offense Leading to Tight AFC North Race
Heading into Week 14, the Steelers are sitting at 6-6 and now have the same record as the Baltimore Ravens. The two rivals play each other on Sunday in a game that will certainly have playoff implications.
PFSN’s Offense Impact ranking gives the Steelers’ unit a 75.5 grade in 2025, which ranks 15th in the league. However, the unit had one of its worst performances of the season last weekend against the Buffalo Bills, only managing 166 total yards and seven points.
If the Steelers want to win the division, they will need more out of Rodgers and Metcalf over the final stretch. The fewest yards Metcalf has ended a season with is 900, and the veteran needs to average 59 yards over the last five games to reach that mark in 2025.
