Regardless that they don’t have a beginning quarterback, that didn’t cease the Pittsburgh Steelers from making an enormous splash this offseason. Earlier than free company opened, they executed a huge trade for the Seattle Seahawks broad receiver DK Metcalf. Metcalf is a superb participant, however it looks like a complicated commerce for a workforce with no quarterback. Former NFL receiver Brandon Marshall would dislike the Steelers’ commerce for Metcalf until they re-sign Russell Wilson.
“With Russ [Wilson], it will be an A,” Marshall stated Monday on his podcast, I Am Athlete. “DK Metcalf to the Steelers. They maintain Russell Wilson; it’s an A. With out him, it’s a D. Why do I say that? DK Metcalf simply completed up 12 months six. His first three years within the league, I personally was speaking about him as a top-five broad receiver. Since Russ left, he hasn’t even been within the prime ten dialog.”
It’s truthful to disparage the commerce as a result of the Steelers don’t have a quality starter under center. Paying a receiver that a lot cash appears silly if you happen to don’t have somebody to throw him the ball. Nevertheless, the Steelers don’t must re-sign Wilson simply because he used to play with Metcalf.
Certainly, Metcalf had arguably his greatest season with Wilson as his quarterback. The 2 had been collectively on the Seahawks from 2019 to 2021. Not all of these years had been Metcalf’s greatest, although. In 2020, he had 83 catches for 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named a Second-team All-Professional and made his first Professional Bowl. Nevertheless, in these different two years, Metcalf didn’t even document 1,000 yards.
That doesn’t imply he wasn’t profitable. Metcalf fell simply wanting that mark each instances, and he had 12 touchdowns in 2021. In his first two seasons with Wilson, he had over 1,000 yards. He additionally recorded 90 catches in 2022, a profession excessive.
Did Metcalf’s field-stretching capabilities mesh completely with Wilson’s improbable deep ball? Sure, however Wilson isn’t that very same participant. That was clear final 12 months. He can nonetheless throw a very good deep ball, however he’s misplaced many different facets of his sport. Anticipating Metcalf and Wilson to pick up where they left off could be silly.
Wilson is 36 years outdated, and his greatest days are far behind him. He’s additionally among the many greatest free-agent quarterbacks left, though that’s not saying a lot. The Steelers might reunite him with Metcalf, however that shouldn’t drastically enhance an individual’s opinion of the commerce.
It could nonetheless depart the Steelers with a multitude at quarterback. The Steelers had a significant weak spot at receiver, and Metcalf helped repair that. It provides them flexibility if George Pickens leaves next year. Quarterback is a separate downside, and it’s unlikely Wilson will remedy that.
