The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten off to a good start on the 2026 season as the team is 6-2 heading into the bye week. The Steelers currently have the lead in the AFC North, and the team has another division title in its sights after a strong start to the season. Both the offense and the defense look better than they did in 2025, and a big reason for that is the running game from Pittsburgh. The run game has been able to keep the offense in front of the chains, and it has also given the Steelers the advantage when it comes to time of possession.
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Steelers' DK Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers during a home game in 2026.
The run game and the performance of running back Jaylen Warren has been a huge positive for the Steelers in 2026, however, the passing game has left a lot to be desired. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has had some good performances, but the fans have been concerned with the play of wide receiver DK Metcalf. He struggled with drops early on in the season, and that problem resurfaced during Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns as he dropped a wide open deep shot down the middle of the field that led to an interception for the Browns.
His play has made the fan base turn on the organization a bit for trading for him and then giving him a lucrative contract extension during the 2025 offseason. He has not lived up to his new deal in Pittsburgh, and he has not lived up to the second-round price that Pittsburgh paid when bringing him in from the Seattle Seahawks. Beat writer Gerry Dulac was asked about how the team could fix Metcalf during a recent mailbag for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and he was rather blunt with his answer.
"You don't," Dulac wrote. "He is what he is."
Dulac seems to have no faith that Metcalf might improve and evolve as the season continues on, which is unfortunate to hear. Hopefully the bye week can help Metcalf get right. He has shown that he has the physical abilities to be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, but he just cannot perform consistently and the drops are a major issue.
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Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf runs the ball at Gillette Stadium during a 2026 game against the New England Patriots.
Metcalf has had some good games during the 2026 season, but he has only scored one touchdown on the year. He is averaging just four receptions a game and under 50 yards per game, which is not ideal for a team's top wide receiver. If he had hauled in some of his drops from throughout the year, those numbers would certainly be different. Rodgers has kept the belief in Metcalf and he has said that he plans to keep feeding him, which is something Dulac does not want to see.
"I hope he stops feeding -- his word -- Metcalf, at least on those 50-50 throws that are more like 25-75," Dulac wrote.
Dulac is referencing the fade routes to Metcalf in the end zone and the deep shots down the sideline. They rarely work, and Metcalf has just not been good this year. Those balls might be 50-50 to an elite wide receiver, but that is not what Metcalf is at this point.
Steelers Need To Put An Emphasis On Getting Germie Bernard The Ball
With Metcalf struggling and the rest of the wide receiver room banged up, the Steelers need to scheme Bernard open. He has been pretty reliable for Rodgers to throw to, and he is a legitimate threat with the ball in his hands. He can run after the catch and make defenders miss, which is something this offense needs. He has not really been seen as a deep threat quite yet, but it would be interesting to see what he could do in that regard. He has had a few good performances, but he hasn't been too involved in the game plan over the last couple of weeks.
What do you think about Dulac's comments on Metcalf? Do you agree? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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