DK Metcalf not worried about Steelers' QB uncertainty, not recruiting Wilson or Rodgers
PITTSBURGH — What a week it's been for new Steelers receiver DK Metcalf.
It all started Sunday with a phone call with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and team president Art Rooney II. The trio of decision makers answered the former Seattle Seahawk's trade request, and then Pittsburgh promptly extended the two-time Pro Bowler with a handsome new five-year, $150 million contract.
Four days later in Houston, Metcalf proposed to pop-star Normani with a bouquet of flowers and family all around.
"Hold that rock up, baby" 🤣💍@dkm14 pic.twitter.com/6ftRNuxYgL
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 13, 2025
'I don't know many words (for this week) other than great,' Metcalf said. 'I found a new home here. I found a new fiancée. Everything is just falling in line just the way God planned.'
Well, maybe everything thing but one small detail: The Steelers still don't have an clearcut QB1 on their roster.
Pittsburgh has extended an offer to 41-year-old former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. On Thursday, the team found its backup quarterback (and maybe backup plan) when it agreed to terms with Mason Rudolph on a two-year, $8 million deal. However, the Steelers are still waiting for Rodgers to make his decision.
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'I'm not making the decisions in the quarterback room,' Metcalf said when asked if this uncertainty concerns him. 'I'm just going to do the best of my abilities to help whoever they have out there throwing the football. They're going to make the correct decisions to bring a quarterback in here.'
Russell Wilson, the quarterback who threw Metcalf the ball during his first three seasons in Seattle (including a Pro Bowl campaign in 2020), and his wife Ciara are the ones responsible for setting up Metcalf with his fiancée. However, Metcalf said he doesn't feel the need to play matchmaker and help recruit his next passer to re-sign with the Steelers.
'This is a historic organization,' Metcalf said. 'They've done the recruiting before I even got here. Whoever wants to come here and try to win as many games as we can, they can join us. If not, good luck on the other side.'
Throughout the offseason, the Steelers framed their quarterback decision as a Justin Fields versus Wilson debate, with Rooney saying publicly that he preferred to sign one of the incumbents. Khan echoed those sentiments at the combine, adding that all options would be on the table until a QB signed on the dotted line.
However, throughout this week, it's become clear that's not necessarily the case. The Steelers have shown little urgency, both before free agency and now as the Rodgers saga drags on, to sign Wilson. The former Steelers quarterback spent Thursday visiting with the Cleveland Browns and also plans to visit with the New York Giants on Friday.
Metcalf said he spoke with Wilson on Wednesday. According to Metcalf, they did not talk about the quarterback's uncertain future, but they have discussed Pittsburgh in the past.
'He was just telling me congratulations, giving us a congratulations on that,' Metcalf said. 'But last year, I think like halfway though through the season, we just had a conversation about how it was living here. He just told me that I would love it here.'
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Though finding a quarterback remains the Steelers' largest looming question, the uncertainty to consider is how Metcalf and George Pickens — two supremely talented but also sometimes fiery personalities — will coexist in the same offense.
For now, Metcalf is saying and doing the right things. When it came time to pick a number, Metcalf (who wore No. 14 his first six years in the league) settled on No. 4.
'(Pickens has) made a staple in the No. 14,' Metcalf said. 'I'm not trying to take away from anybody's legacy. I'm just trying to help build mine.'
It remains to be seen if those positive vibes continue once the season begins, especially if the Steelers get underwhelming quarterback play. Pickens often showed his frustrations when previous quarterbacks failed to look his way. Asked how he thinks two alphas will fit on the same roster, Metcalf again chose his words well.
'Football is the ultimate team game, first off,' Metcalf said. 'You shouldn't be on the team if everybody doesn't want the football.'
Metcalf added that he's watched and admired Pickens' game from afar.
'I'm just here to try to instill any wisdom or any knowledge that he allows me to and vice versa,' Metcalf said. 'I feel like there's some things that I can learn from him that he does. … I played with great receivers like Tyler Lockett, Freddie Swain, Josh Gordon was on the team my rookie year. I've been around some very talented receivers to where I know how to take a back seat and learn from guys like that and willing to do the same if the case may be that here.'
Time will tell whether the Steelers get the kind of quarterback play they'll need to keep these honeymoon vibes alive.
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