Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Ever since the Pittsburgh Steelers traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers last offseason, the team had been in need of an upgrade at the wide receiver position.
Well, general manager Omar Khan finally got his guy on Sunday night.
The Steelers reportedly struck a deal with the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver DK Metcalf, who is also inking a five-year, $150 million extension to ensure he doesn’t leave in 2026 after the final year of his current deal.
This is a home-run move by the Steelers, as Metcalf will help form one of the best duos in the NFL with George Pickens, which will provide a major boost to a Pittsburgh offense that desperately needed one.
While the Steelers still have to figure out their quarterback situation, experts are already grading the Metcalf trade. Surprisingly, not everyone loved it.
DK Metcalf trade grades
Iyer: “Metcalf makes the Steelers’ passing attack a lot more dangerous and takes tough coverage pressure off Pickens. His size can also make them more effective when throwing in the red zone. The Steelers are pushing their offense into a direction to make more big plays with QB being the last missing part of the equation.”
Benjamin: “Hey look, Pittsburgh finally traded for a No. 1 receiver! Giving up a second-rounder for an All-Pro like Metcalf indisputably gives Steel City more juice on the perimeter. Yet Metcalf’s new $150 million extension means he’s suddenly the fifth-highest-paid wideout in the game. That’s a pretty penny for a guy who’s physically dynamic but has been more good than great over the course of his career. And what, exactly, is the quarterback plan?”
Robert Zeglinski, For The Win: C-
Zeglinski: But seriously, what is the point of this sort of “blockbuster” addition like Metcalf? How does Metcalf help the Steelers’ central problem of competing against elite teams while they fatten up on bottom-feeders? Someone, please explain this logic to me. I’d love to hear anything that made sense. Anything at all. Don’t worry, I’ll wait.”
DeArdo: “The Steelers have never made a trade like this, so this is undeniably a statement move by GM Omar Khan, head coach Mike Tomlin and the entire organization. Pittsburgh is tired of being good but not good enough. It wants to win now while taking advantage of the final prime years of defensive stalwarts Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick.”