Russell Wilson Says the Steelers' Offense 'Looks Stale.' His Fix Runs Through DK Metcalf.
Russell Wilson watched Pittsburgh's first two weeks and didn't soften the review. The Steelers' offense, he said, "looks stale."
That's a loaded diagnosis coming from him. Wilson spent a season in Seattle throwing to DK Metcalf, and Metcalf is now the center of Pittsburgh's problem. Pro Football Network reports Wilson aimed his advice straight at Aaron Rodgers, breaking down how the quarterback can fix the Metcalf issue.
The numbers argue Wilson's case. Rodgers went 23-of-39 for 187 yards with no touchdowns, one interception and four sacks. That's 4.8 yards per attempt, a 26.8 QBR and a 60.5 passer rating, with two fumbles and one lost. Pittsburgh's 20-3 loss to New England fit that stat line exactly.
Metcalf's day was the same story in miniature: nine targets, four catches, 27 yards, a long of 16, no scores. He led the team in targets and still didn't reach 30 yards. Roman Wilson caught five passes for 28 yards. Germie Bernard caught four for 35 on eight targets.
Those two numbers are the same number. Rodgers' 4.8 yards per attempt and Metcalf's 6.8 yards per catch describe one failure. Nothing is being thrown downfield, and Pittsburgh's most physical receiver is running the shortest, least dangerous routes on the field.
Wilson isn't alone in saying so. Ben Roethlisberger has also weighed in this week on how he'd handle the Metcalf situation. When two former Steelers-adjacent quarterbacks are diagnosing the same problem in public, the problem is visible on film.
The fix is less about Rodgers' arm than about where Metcalf lines up and when the ball comes out. Push him vertical early and take one shot in the first 15 plays, and the intermediate stuff opens for Pat Freiermuth and the slot receivers underneath. Rodgers has never needed a perfect pocket to throw a receiver open 20 yards downfield. He needs the route called.
Here's my bet: Metcalf clears 60 receiving yards next week and Pittsburgh's passing game looks functional again, because this is a usage problem before it's a talent problem. If it doesn't, Rodgers' 4.8 yards per attempt stops being a two-week blip and becomes the shape of the Steelers' season. Wilson clearly thinks the same thing, and he'd know, having been the guy throwing Metcalf the ball.
