The Pittsburgh Steelers newly signed free agent wide receiver DJ Metcalf will meet with reporters at an NFL football press conference in Pittsburgh on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
PITTSBURGH — DK Metcalf may never have a big week in his life.
And the two Pro Bowl wide receivers know that.
On Sunday, Metcalf agreed to a trade from Seattle to Pittsburgh.
On Wednesday, Metcalf grew even bigger and proposed to longtime girlfriend Pop/R&B singer Normani in front of family and friends in Houston.
That’s a lot. If he has more to mind than who the next Steelers start quarterback will be, forgive Metcalf. Whatever happens, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Mason Rudolph, or someone else – he’s fine with that.
Vibe Metcalf felt this Sunday when he spoke to Pittsburgh President Art Rooney II, Director Miktomulin and General Manager Omar Khan.
“They made me feel like they were making the right decision as to who was trying to throw football at me,” Metcalf said Thursday shortly after the deal with Pittsburgh became official. “I’m not making decisions in the quarterback room, so I’m going to try and make the most of my abilities and help anyone (they land).”
Four days after the legal tampering period began, and more than 24 hours after the new NFL season officially began, that’s not anyone’s guess yet.
The Steelers are expected to reunite with Rudolf on a two-year contract, but they almost certainly return to the same role he was a moderately successful backup in five seasons in Pittsburgh between 2019-23.
The offensive play to land Metcalf and then sign him to the biggest deal the franchise has ever distributed to someone not named Ben Roethlisberger seemed to suggest another big move was offshore.
Probably not.
The doors are still open for Rogers, but the four-time NFL MVP doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to see where he wants to play in 2025 or whether he wants to play at all. Russell Wilson, who finished as a Pittsburgh starter last season and played with Metcalf for four seasons in Seattle, meets with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday and is expected to do the same with the New York Giants on Friday.
There is a lot of uncertainty in recent years. Metcalf understands he will be among them for a long time. This is one reason why he isn’t worried.
Metcalf spoke with Wilson this week, only allowing Wilson to congratulate Metcalf on his engagement. Wilson and his wife Ciara first founded Metcalf and Normani in 2020.
When asked if Wilson had ever shared his thoughts on the Pittsburgh season, Metcalf said that if Wilson found his way to the Steelers he just said “I love it.”
Following a whirlwind week in which Metcalf demanded a deal from the Seahawks, which suddenly rebuilds, he now finds himself where Wilson once belonged. The impressive 6-foot-4, 235-pound Metcalf is sure to be suitable for a team looking for a way out of almost 12 places that he’s good, but not very great.
“I’m a physical receiver. I scream a bit at Pop, who was a lineman in this league,” said Metcalfe, whose father, Terrence, tackled with the Chicago Bears guard in the mid-2000s. “So he planted it in me, and I’m just trying to play the game differently.”
Metcalf has spent the last six seasons on one of the most dynamic and reliable receivers in the NFL. He never finished with a reception under 900 yards, and the 48 touchdowns caught in Seattle ranked third on the franchise’s career list.
The 27-year-old refused to elaborate on why he wanted a change of scenery, rather than giving the Seahawks “who am I in this league?”
Metcalf is one of the more difficult matchups in the NFL, a player with speed to escape from defenders and the size to run them. He is part of a talented wide receiver group, including George Pickens, who is lightning both on the field and off the scene.
Given his resume, his presence, and the scale of his contract, Metcalfe understands that he is being asked to become a leader. It’s a role he plans to accept, but he’s not interested in enforcing it.
“Leadership skills will come as needed,” he said. “But we’re here to win the game. We’re here to win as many games as possible.”
Metcalf isn’t just an experienced voice joining the Steelers. Pittsburgh signed Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay Jr. six times on Thursday, less than two months after Slay won the Super Bowl in Philadelphia.
Slay, 34, believes he still has some gas left in the tank and is keen to expect it to be a “competitive” practice alongside Metcalf and Pickens.
Rudolph brings a combination of familiarity and stability, but those arms are no guesses for anyone. He made it 8-4-1 with 13 starts in his first go-round with the Steelers. This included a 3-0 run to end the 2023 season, which helped lead Pittsburgh to the playoffs.
However, Pittsburgh moved after the season and completely revamped the quarterback room. Rogers is perhaps still the best option after being released Wednesday following two years of turbulence with the New York Jets.
Rogers will see at least one familiar face in the locker room when he signs with the Steelers at cornerback Brandin Ecole. Pittsburgh signed a two-year contract with Ecole on Thursday.
When asked if he would help recruit Pittsburgh for a future Hall of Fame, Echoles smiled.
“(Heck) Yeah,” Echols said. “Come on his ass.”
