DK Metcalf Gives 1st Impressions on 'Cerebral' Aaron Rodgers After Steelers Contract

DK Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers are new teammates on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the wideout is just trying to soak it all in as he gets to know the veteran quarterback.

"Just how cerebral he is and how he views the game," Metcalf told reporters while discussing what he's already learned about Rodgers. "I like the way he views the game from a receiver standpoint, but also from a quarterback standpoint. I think I can gain a lot of knowledge just from being around him because he's seen a lot of football. I'm just trying to soak up as much information as I can."

Metcalf has played with a number of quarterbacks during his career, most notably Russell Wilson and Geno Smith. He sees some similarities between Wilson and Rodgers.

"I will say they're similar with how they approach the game," he said. "They're very professional, going to hold people accountable in the offense and in the team setting. They're going to work their butts off when they're out here and they're going to make you come up to their level of competitiveness out there on the grass. So, that's what I like about them. The difference is they're two completely different people, two completely different quarterbacks with how they play the game of football."

Metcalf noted that a few of the characteristics that make Rodgers unique are "how quickly he releases the ball and me getting off the line of scrimmage fast, I think is one thing that stands out. Also, his playmaking ability after a play breaks down or him to contort his arm a different way just to get the ball out."

The Steelers are hoping the new duo bolsters a passing game that ranked 27th in passing yards last season (192.0 YPG) and finished tied for 20th in passing touchdowns (21). They've since undergone major changes in their passing-game personnel, most notably bringing in Rodgers and Metcalf and parting ways with Wilson, Justin Fields and George Pickens.

Despite a mediocre passing game, the Steelers still sat atop the NFC North heading into Week 15 last year with a 10-3 record. But Pittsburgh promptly dropped its final four games of the regular season, lost the divisional crown to the Baltimore Ravens and lost to its hated rival in the Wild Card Round. If Rodgers and Metcalf can invigorate the offense, the 2025 season may not end on such a rough note.