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The usually straight-faced Mike Tomlin couldn’t help but crack a smile when talking about quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf connecting for a touchdown on Day 2 of training camp. But that’s what the stoic Steelers coach expects to happen, so no “pep rally” would be thrown, he joked.
“That’s what I envisioned all summer,” Tomlin said last week.
Will it manifest enough come fall, though? That’s the big question for the win-now Steelers, who’ve revamped their roster with some big-name, past-their-prime stars (Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay). Their defense is poised to be relatively good, as it’s typically been under Tomlin.
But the offense, led by Rodgers and Metcalf, will largely determine how far the team goes this season.
Metcalf hopes to be smiling all season long, playing with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh’s offense led by second-year coordinator Arthur Smith (left). (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The offense was a primary culprit in Pittsburgh’s demise down the stretch of 2024, when it lost its final five games, including its wild-card playoff game, never scoring more than 17 points. Quarterback Russell Wilson, who assumed starting duties from Justin Fields in Week 7 last season after recovering from a calf injury, went 6-1 in his first seven starts but regressed down the stretch with the rest of the passing attack, which finished 27th in the NFL. Gone now are Wilson and Fields, both of whom departed in free agency, and leading receiver George Pickens, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in May.
Metcalf could make a big difference in Pittsburgh’s offense, particularly the deep passing game.
The 27-year-old has built a reputation as a physical, vertical threat with his sub-4.4 speed and 6-foot-4, 229-pound frame. Among qualified wide receivers last season, Metcalf ranked fourth in deep target rate (25.9%), sixth in air yards per target (13.7) and 11th in yards per reception (15.0), according to Next Gen Stats. He’s registered at least 900 receiving yards in each of his six NFL seasons, including 992 last season (to go with 66 receptions and five touchdowns) in 15 games. Metcalf signed a four-year, $132 million extension with the Steelers after they acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks in March.
But just how effective Metcalf can be will come down largely to Rodgers, who’s well past his prime at age 41. Any mobility he once had is all but gone at this point in his career. He also ranked in the bottom half of the league in most passing categories last season among qualified quarterbacks — passer rating, yards per attempt, completion rate and EPA per dropback among them, per NGS.
The Steelers, who signed Rodgers to a one-year deal after a months-long courtship, are hoping to squeeze out whatever he has left in the tank, another year removed from his 2023 Achilles injury.
Metcalf acknowledged that the process of building chemistry with a new quarterback can be tough in the beginning, but he’s looking forward to picking Rodgers’ brain. The two worked out together twice ahead of training camp, including before he signed with Pittsburgh.
“Going to listen to everything he says, even the critiques he has of my game,” Metcalf said last week. “I’m going to be willing and open to go searching for those answers from him because he’s had great receivers in his past and I’m just trying to be another one.
“I don’t think there’s a timetable to [chemistry],” Metcalf added, “however what higher method to do it than out right here towards among the best defenses within the league.”
Rodgers believes he has relationship with Metcalf so far, and the 20-year veteran has embraced the communication a part of the expansion course of with the remainder of his offensive teammates.
Along with Ramsey, Pittsburgh additionally acquired tight finish Jonnu Smith within the commerce final month that despatched star security Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins. Smith set Dolphins franchise data for a good finish in catches (88) and receiving yards (884) final season en path to his first Professional Bowl nod. The Steelers signed veteran operating again Kenneth Gainwell and receiver Robert Woods to a one-year offers in free company as properly.
“I like the pliability,” Rodgers mentioned Wednesday of coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense. “Arthur shouldn’t be inflexible in what he is doing. He needs to tailor the scheme to personnel — once you usher in Kenny Gainwell, usher in a Jonnu Smith, deliver a DK Metcalf and myself with among the stuff I’ve executed over time. We’re looking for out what guys do greatest and implement that within the offense. I really like that about Arthur, so we will preserve doing that.”
Rodgers and Metcalf are suitemates at Steelers coaching camp, which is held at Saint Vincent School in Latrobe, Pa. It offers the 2 an opportunity to proceed conversations outdoors the assembly room.
Tomlin was requested final week if that was deliberate.
“That appears applicable, doesn’t it?”
It does, certain.
However now, we wait to see if Tomlin’s hopes — what he envisioned all summer time — will come to full fruition within the fall.
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a yr and a half. He coated the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to transferring to Tennessee. You may comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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