How Will Steelers’ DK Metcalf Commerce Look 5 Years From Now?

How will the Steelers’ commerce for DK Metcalf look 5 years from now?

In a uncommon blockbuster commerce for the Steelers, they acquired WR DK Metcalf this week, at fairly the associated fee. Along with giving up their second-round decide, additionally they signed Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million deal. At $30 million per season, it’s the most important non-quarterback contract in workforce historical past. No less than it will likely be till T.J. Watt indicators an extension, the bar raised to $40 million per yr.

However this isn’t about Watt, after all. That is in regards to the Steelers and their gamble to handle the huge receiver place with DK Metcalf. He already has six NFL seasons underneath his belt, but he solely turned 27 years outdated in December.

By the top of his present cope with the Steelers, Metcalf will nonetheless be 32. It’s believable {that a} huge receiver can proceed taking part in at a excessive stage at that age. In fact, Davante Adams, at 33, simply signed for $22 million APY, although by the top of the contract, cap inflation would in all probability render that roughly equal to $30 million.

So the query is, what precisely are the Steelers getting in DK Metcalf? The plain place to begin is the place he has already been, together with three seasons with Russell Wilson and three with Geno Smith as his quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks. With Wilson, he caught 216 passes for 3,170 yards and 29 touchdowns. With Smith, he caught 222 passes for 3,154 yards and 19 touchdowns. So principally, his manufacturing was remarkably comparable, minus work in the long run zone.

Curiously, all of his 5 touchdowns final yr got here on explosive performs, but he had 9 touchdowns contained in the crimson zone throughout his first two seasons with Smith. Of his 29 touchdowns with Wilson, 18 got here contained in the crimson zone. That implies if the Steelers can get enough quarterback play, they’ll get one of the best of each worlds with Metcalf. No less than, that’s the speculation, and the Steelers clearly consider it. One would hope, contemplating what they spent to search out out. Will we glance again on this commerce 5 years from now and name it sensible or idiotic?

The Steelers’ 2024 season has come to its predictably inauspicious finish, with one more one-and-done postseason for HC Mike Tomlin. The offense faltered, and the protection matched it blow for blow, resulting in a 21-0 first-half deficit.

Similar to final yr, the most important query hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback query. Do they nonetheless consider in Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields, or do they need one other answer? There are different main choices to make, as effectively, corresponding to what to do with George Pickens. Do you signal him to an extension, attempt to commerce him, or let him play out his rookie contract?

The Steelers began the 2024 season 10-3, with Mike Tomlin within the Coach of the Yr dialog. Wash, rinse, and repeat, and we’ve got one other late-season collapse. This can be the worst but, a four-game dropping streak presaging a one-and-done playoff “run”. Welcome to Steelers soccer.