Rudolph-Metcalf Named NFL’s Worst Passing-Recreation Duo

Professional Soccer Focus isn’t eager on the thought of Mason Rudolph lobbing downfield passes to DK Metcalf. In its checklist rating the NFL’s prime quarterback-receiver duos, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced up the rear. The slotting may change if and when Aaron Rodgers indicators however for now, the Steelers’ pairing is within the basement.

“Metcalf went from coast to coast, transferring from Seattle to Pittsburgh this offseason,” PFF’s Trevor Sikkema wrote. “We’re unsure who the Steelers’ QB1 shall be, however Mason Rudolph, who recorded 61.5 (2024) and 53.5 (2019) PFF passing grades within the two seasons the place he has taken greater than 200 drop backs, is at the moment slated to imagine that title.”

In his introductory press convention, Metcalf mentioned the Steelers promised they’d a nice plan at quarterback. Greater than two months later, that plan hasn’t been revealed. It seemingly is banking on Rodgers signing earlier than coaching camp. For the second, neither are in Pittsburgh. Rodgers stays unsigned and Metcalf hasn’t confirmed up for any of the group’s 5 voluntary OTA practices, although he figures to attend subsequent week’s necessary minicamp.

In a latest rating of the NFL’s prime beginning quarterbacks, PFF listed Rudolph thirty first general and solely forward of New Orleans Saints rookie Tyler Shough. In Sikkema’s checklist, the Shough-to-Chris Olave connection ranked one spot greater. Additionally forward of Rudolph to Metcalf had been the Cleveland Browns’ duo of Joe Flacco and Jerry Jeudy and the Tennessee Titans’ Cam Ward to Calvin Ridley.

Whereas Rudolph doesn’t have the NFL’s strongest arm, he throws a succesful and correct deep ball that ought to match properly sufficient with Metcalf’s talent set. In 2023, Rudolph and WR George Pickens fashioned a sizzling connection. In Rudolph’s first two begins, Pickens caught 11 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns. Solely a rain-soaked finale blunted the connection.

It’s affordable to position the Steelers low on the checklist primarily for his or her unsure and at the moment unappealing quarterback scenario. However is it honest to position Rudolph and Metcalf lifeless final? There’s a case to be made they need to be above New Orleans, with a complete unknown in Shough and a concussion-riddled Olave, and even Flacco and Jeudy.

Rudolph may very well be argued as the higher quarterback than Flacco and plenty of would rank Metcalf above Jeudy. There’s additionally the query of how a lot greater Pittsburgh will rank if Rodgers assumes QB1 duties, even when summer time fodder content material shall be irrelevant by the point Rodgers takes his first significant snap.