Steelers Face Emerging Problem Involving DK Metcalf As The Aaron Rodgers Saga Continues

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in the headlines everyday throughout the 2025 offseason, and that has had a lot to do with the moves made by General Manager Omar Khan. The GM struck early, before the start of free agency, as he acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and immediately signed him to an extension. The move was great, but it also made George Pickens expendable, which was made clear as he was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys about two months later. The various moves have made the Steelers extremely interesting to follow, as has the Aaron Rodgers saga.

Pittsburgh has been connected with Rodgers since free agency began. After the organization missed out on the other available quarterbacks, the two sides eventually coming to a deal has seemed inevitable. The quarterback was reported to have a very beneficial meeting with the franchise in Pittsburgh, and he even took part in a throwing session with Metcalf earlier in the offseason. 

Former NFL General Manager Mike Tannenbaum appeared on a recent episode of ESPN's Get Up on Monday, and he shared that he believes Pittsburgh's duo is behind thanks to the delay in signing Rodgers.

"Sure [Rodgers and Metcalf] threw one time at UCLA, but they are massively behind this season in terms of reps and experience if they want to reasonably compete in the AFC North," Tannenbaum explained.

While this is true, it is a bit of an exaggeration. It is not like the two have missed out on meaningful practice time with one another. It doesn't seem like Rodgers will be attending Organized Team Activities (OTAs) when they begin on Tuesday, May 27th, but that isn't the end all, be all. Those sessions are voluntary, and Rodgers is experienced enough to grow his chemistry with a wide receiver in a short amount of time.

It would be nice to have Rodgers already under contract to avoid the distraction that the entire offseason charade has been, but he is 41 years old. He is not going to sign before he has to, and all signs have been pointing towards the two sides eventually joining forces. Metcalf and the coaching staff probably already know that Rodgers is eventually going to be in the black and gold.

Ideally, Rodgers will be under contract by the time mandatory minicamp gets started on June 10th, but there is a possibility that the quarterback won't sign until training camp gets closer. If he is present for minicamp, he will be able to work on his chemistry with Metcalf and the other wide receivers on the roster, but if not, that will be a priority in Latrobe.

Nothing about the 2025 offseason has been normal for Pittsburgh, and the Rodgers chase has been a perfect encapsulation of that fact.

Steelers Competing In The AFC North Won't Be Easy

Pittsburgh being able to compete for a crown in the AFC North during the 2025 season is not going to come down to the connection between Rodgers and Metcalf. The Baltimore Ravens are one of the best teams in the league, and the Cincinnati Bengals are likely not going to be as bad as they were in 2024. Both offenses are two of the best in the NFL, and Pittsburgh's defense fell apart at the end of the 2024 season. If the organization does not get a consistent product from the highest-paid defense in the NFL, it isn't going to matter what the offense is able to do, or not do.

Rodgers most likely gives Pittsburgh its best chance to win games in 2025, but in reality, this should be one of the worst seasons for Pittsburgh in recent memory. The streak of non-losing seasons is certainly up in the air, and the chemistry between Rodgers and Metcalf is not the biggest issue on the roster.

What do you think about Tannenbaum's thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

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