The Steelers’ recent struggles have sparked intense debate, with blame quickly falling on quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf. However, former NFL player Trai Essex believes the issue runs deeper than simply criticizing individual players. Essex argues the Steelers aren’t maximizing the potential of Metcalf, specifically by consistently utilizing his most effective route – the slant.
“Whenever I would watch DK Metcalf playing Seattle, his best route that he ran over and over again that teams cannot stop because he’s just such a big body with a unique skill set was a slant,” Essex stated. “Like he seemed to catch like three or four slants from Russell Wilson every game because they can’t stop that he’s great with run after the catch. Why don’t we run at least four or five slants for DK Metcalf, because it seems so many opportunities for that to happen?”
The criticism isn’t just coming from Essex. Former NFL player and now Steelers teammate’s father, Asante Samuel, has echoed similar concerns. “He (DK Metcalf) is most of the problem,” Samuel declared. “And DK Metcalf is the reason Aaron Rodgers is looking so old because he keeps trying to throw DK Metcalf the football, and he is not even getting the ounce of separation, especially when he’s going against press coverage. And as much as Aaron Rodgers still wants to win, man, he just doesn’t have the talent at receiver to make things happen.”
Metcalf’s targets have also decreased significantly this season, falling from 108 in 2024 to just 75 across 12 games. The Steelers’ offense has struggled, scoring only 7 points in a recent loss to the Buffalo Bills, highlighting a broader need for offensive scheme improvements.
The debate over whether the Steelers should be getting more out of Metcalf is likely to continue as the team attempts to find solutions to their offensive woes.