The Pittsburgh Steelers excited a lot of fans by acquiring star wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks during the 2025 offseason ahead of the NFL Draft. Metcalf had a great career in Seattle, but he was no longer seeing eye-to-eye with the front office and it was time for him to move on him. He wound up being dealt to Pittsburgh in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a late-round pick swap, and the wide receiver signed a new five-year deal upon his arrival in Pittsburgh. A lot is expected of the wideout, and he has some bold aspirations for the rest of his career.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' DK Metcalf celebrates after a big play during a win over the Miami Dolphins at home in 2025.
Metcalf wants to win, which is part of why he decided Pittsburgh was the right place for him. He has acknowledged the recent lack of postseason success before while also noticing how hard it is to be in the playoffs as often as the Steelers are. The main goal of his career is to win a Super Bowl, but he also has some interesting personal goals that he would like to hit. He shared a strange goal with his teammate Christian Kuntz on The Christian Kuntz Podcast.
"I've always wanted to get a sack," Metcalf said. "I bet I get a sack before my career is over with. 100 percent. I bet. Watch."
Kuntz tried to argue with the wide receiver by telling him that the coaching staff would never put him on defense, especially if he is making the kind of money that he is making currently. It would be too much of a liability to the organization if he were to lineup on the defensive side of the ball just to try and sack the quarterback.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) alongside Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
There is no doubt that Metcalf has the athleticism and drive to play on the defensive side of the ball and record a sack. His speed coming off of the edge on a delayed blitz from the slot or from the safety spot could be lethal for a quarterback, but it is very unlikely he will ever be put in that position in Pittsburgh. The only time he might see the field on defense is in Hail Mary situations where the opposing offense is taking one last heave at the end zone. It is common practice for teams to put a big wide receiver in on defense in those situations to track and attack the ball.
It is not Pittsburgh's coaching staff's style to put a guy like Metcalf on defense, but wide receivers in the NFL have played on that side of the ball before. Travis Hunter is the most recent example. Another that is interesting is Julian Edelman with the New England Patriots.
During the 2011 season, the Patriots had a beat up secondary, and Edelman played a handful of games in nickel and dime personnel packages. He even lined up at cornerback on the outside. This was during the second half of the season and the playoffs, and he played pretty well due to his reliable tackling. He was at a different stage of his career as he was not making $30 million like Metcalf, and Edelman was also a healthy scratch a few times earlier in that season.
Steelers' DK Metcalf Has Upped His Play Down The Stretch In 2025
Metcalf is having a great stretch of games for Pittsburgh after he had a weird middle of the season. He recorded 148 receiving yards during Pittsburgh's Week 15 win over the Baltimore Ravens and he then recorded 55 yards and a touchdown in Week 16 against the Miami Dolphins.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' DK Metcalf celebrates after a big catch during the 2025 season in a win on the road over the Ravens.
He and quarterback Aaron Rodgers seem to be hitting their stride and their chemistry seems to be at a all-time high, which is great news for Pittsburgh as the team fights for a spot in the playoffs.
What do you think about Metcalf's bold aspirations? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
