Noah Hiles: DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. must step up after the Steelers stood pat

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Nov 12, 2026

Published in Football

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PITTSBURGH — The Steelers look like a pretty good football team.

They had a chance to upgrade their roster this week. They had a clear need at receiver, a position group riddled with injuries and inconsistent performances.

A few targets were available. Players such as Keenan Allen, Josh Downs and Brian Thomas Jr. were on the trade block. In the end, Steelers general manager Omar Khan decided what the team had was enough.

Whether or not you agree with his assessment, it’s now on those who are already in the receiver room, especially the team’s two highest-paid pass catchers, to step up and prove the Steelers’ brain trust right.

The Steelers have already made big bets on DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. Both were acquired via trade and extended to sizable deals not long after. Neither one has held up his side of the bargain so far.

Metcalf has been far and away the team’s most frustrating player this season. He’s had flashes of what fans hoped for. In Week 4, he caught five balls for 115 yards against the Browns in Cleveland. He logged 11 catches for 93 yards two weeks later in the road win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But his mistakes have heavily outweighed his positive contributions.

Metcalf is penalized far too often, seemingly getting called for holding or offensive pass interference at least once a game.

He struggles to catch the ball in traffic — or in some cases, such as two weeks ago against the Browns, when he’s wide open.

He can easily be erased from a game plan, especially when matched up against an elite cornerback. This hasn’t stopped the Steelers from going his way, which means more opportunities will come.

“I love DK. He’s one of my closest friends on the team,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said earlier this season. “I’m going to keep feeding him.”

If he’s ever going to put it together in Pittsburgh, now — this upcoming stretch, the hardest part of the Steelers’ schedule — is the time to do it. The same can be said for Pittman, who has essentially been invisible from the moment he arrived.

Pittman’s skill set is perfect for Rodgers. His best work comes through the short passing game. Get the ball out quick and get ready for the next down.

Rookie receiver Germie Bernard has done a solid job filling that void. But Rodgers and the Steelers need somebody else to consistently make plays.

Pittman could be rejoining the Steelers soon. Whenever he does, there can’t be an extended grace period. This team is hunting for another division title, gearing up for a potential playoff run. He’s had time to recover. Whenever he’s back, he has to contribute.

“I think Michael is getting close,” Mike McCarthy said Monday. “I know his workout, I’m going to say Friday, was something that hopefully we can do more [of this week].”

Allen or Downs would have made the Steelers a better team, but not by much. In the end, if they hope to make a push toward a seventh Lombardi Trophy, it will take much bigger contributions from Metcalf and Pittman.

Roman Wilson should also be included in that group — albeit with lesser expectations. He’s never performed consistently at the game’s highest level. Metcalf and Pittman have.

This week, their general manager echoed his belief in that veteran duo, signaling that they can still perform at a high enough level to take the Steelers where they hope to go this winter. Metcalf and Pittman owe it to the entire organization to reward his loyalty.

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