NFL Coach Shades DK Metcalf's Play to Hype Davante Adams' Impact on Stafford

One NFL coach drew a sharp contrast between wide receivers Davante Adams and DK Metcalf to describe the impact they're having on their new teams in 2025.

"Davante is the kind of guy that is in the right spot, so it's easy for the quarterback to get used to him," the coach told The Athletic's Mike Sando. "It's so different from DK Metcalf in Pittsburgh, who slows down and starts guessing if he's in the read or not."

Adams is looking rejuvenated with the Los Angeles Rams. Through nine games, he has 42 catches for 568 yards and an NFL-best nine touchdowns. His 13.5 yards per catch are the second-highest of his career.

Metcalf, meanwhile, is averaging a career-low 55.8 yards per game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He continues to be a downfield threat as his 15.7 yards per grab rank eighth in the NFL.

Any comparison between Adams and Metcalf requires the necessary context about their respective situations.

Sando spoke to an NFL team executive who said Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford "is playing as good as anybody at the position." He's fourth in passing yards (2,427) and first in touchdowns (25).

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, is showing his age. His 205.9 yards per contest are on pace to be his fewest over a full season.

The 41-year-old was inconsistent and unsure of himself in the pocket in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

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Beyond Stafford being a better passer than Rodgers right now, he had more time to forge a connection with Adams prior to the regular season. The six-time Pro Bowl wideout signed with Los Angeles in March, and head coach Sean McVay was already mapping out how he fit into the passing game.

Metcalf also landed in Pittsburgh in March, but Rodgers didn't sign a contract until early June. They missed out on valuable time before that that could've helped them build a rapport. That's to say nothing of how Rodgers, at this point, isn't suited to accentuate Metcalf's biggest strengths.

The longer runway for Adams and Stafford was also important because persistent back trouble limited the latter's availability in training camp.

On balance, Adams has been a more consistent performer than Metcalf across their careers. He also wound up in a much better spot than Metcalf, and the pair are seeing the effects of that difference.