In an offseason filled with big ticket roster moves for the Steelers, none was bigger than the team’s March trade for wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. The former Seattle Seahawk was acquired for a second-round
pick and Pittsburgh made him one of the NFL’s highest-paid wide receivers with a massive four-year, $132 million extension.
Three games in, what has been the return on investment?
Has D.K. Metcalf lived up to expectations?
While first on the team in targets, Metcalf is currently second on the team in receiving yards (135) and third in receptions (10). He’s also tied for first in receiving touchdowns with two.
Beyond the obvious statistics, the eye test shows that Metcalf is still very much the receiver he was in Seattle. He’s a size-speed freak who can create big plays with the ball in his hands, but he still struggles with consistency. He’s had several rough drops through just three weeks of football, but has also managed to make some contested catches in big moments, including his two scores on the year.
Per Over the Cap, Metcalf is the fourth-highest paid receiver in the NFL, but he currently ranks 56th in the league in receiving yards — but also just 54th in targets. He’s failed to get much downfield yardage, but the Steelers’ offense as a whole just hasn’t pushed the ball downfield much.
So while it’s clear the Steelers seem to be overpaying Metcalf compared to his current production, a few things are still true: Yes, he isn’t a top-four receiver in the NFL, but the Steelers’ passing offense has not been receiver-friendly in 2025. Plus, it’s only the end of Week 3! The year’s statistical rankings are anything but finalized.
So, has Metcalf lived up to expectations? Compared to his new paycheck, it’s TBD. But if you watched him in Seattle, he still looks like the exact player the Steelers traded for — just now in an underwhelming Pittsburgh offense.
Do you think D.K. Metcalf has lived up to expectations? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
