The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive issues in Week 2 are not centered on one individual. Nothing about the poor performance rests solely at the feet of DK Metcalf, no more than it does at the feet of Aaron Rodgers or Broderick Jones.
After all, a huge component of the Steelers' home opener loss was the poor play on defense and special teams, too.
But to focus on one of the contributing factors, the frustration in Metcalf’s part is that he is both a product of success and failure. And his inconsistencies aren’t just harming his stat sheet.
Pittsburgh Steelers' offense can’t afford DK Metcalf to be an inconsistent $150 million receiver
Metcalf had two drops this week to go along with the one logged in the stat sheet in Week 1. Anyone who expected Metcalf to have a big game in his revenge game against Seattle is left staring at a stat sheet that reads three catches on six targets for 20 yards and a touchdown.
Just like last week, Metcalf had one shining example of why Pittsburgh traded for him and dropped $150 million in his lap. He caught his first touchdown in a Steelers uniform with a high-point catch over Coby Bryant. But he also had the instances that we all should have seen coming, that prove why he’s a risky investment as a true WR1.
Last year, Metcalf had a 36.6% contested catch rate, unbefitting of a 6-foot-4, 230-pound wide receiver, especially after ranking ninth in the NFL the year prior with a 52.5% rate. But Steelers fans, as well as the decision-makers, were aware of that. As he’s proven, he’s still capable of making splash plays and coming down with the ball with someone draping over him in coverage.
He’s a fallible player, and that’s fine. He’s never been a First-Team All-Pro, but he remains one of the most talented players at his position and is certainly a No. 1 option for most offenses. However, his WR1 status is marred by a double-edged sword: he doesn’t have a WR2 counterpart to take attention away from him, and he isn’t quite consistent enough to demand enough attention to create space for his fellow receivers.
Sound familiar, Steelers fans?
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Stats don’t tell every story properly, but it’s hard to ignore that Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson combined for two catches for 29 yards against a Seattle secondary that was missing a starting cornerback and was without its exciting rookie safety. They received six targets, and so did Metcalf.
The target shares help reset the focus to a broad offensive problem. The Seahawks generated pressure on 40% of Rodgers’ drop-backs while sending four rushers. It’s hard to do much of anything as an offense when the quarterback, especially at 41 in a new environment, has to face that kind of pressure.
Still, plenty of issues are resolved if the Steelers can get the most out of their highest-paid offensive player. Metcalf has to cut out the drops and take on more volume targets, designed or otherwise. If not, his inconsistencies as a WR1 will mirror exactly what the Steelers saw with George Pickens last year. Only this time, it’s a lot more expensive to be just okay on offense.