DK Metcalf’s $33 million per year contract is looking like an absolute nightmare for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with his on-field production plummeting to “borderline unplayable” levels after just two games this season. You’d have to be making some serious coin to underperform this badly, but Metcalf’s salary is just pouring salt in the wound for Steel City.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Statistical Freefall
Let’s dive into the ugly truth, because the stats on Metcalf’s performance since he left the Emerald City are brutal. In his 17 games as a Steeler, he’s only hauled in 67 passes for 917 yards and a measly six touchdowns. For a guy making $33 million annually, that’s just not cutting it. Back in 2025, he ranked 47th in EPA per target, per Sumer Sports. Coming into Week 2 of this young season, that number dropped even further, placing him 57th dating back to the start of last season, behind players like Brandin Cooks, Kalif Raymond, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Seriously? Even worse, his success rate when targeted places him 89th since last season, despite getting a 22nd overall target share. He’s getting the looks, but he’s not making them count. This season alone, before Sunday’s devastating 20-3 loss to the Patriots, he was 89th in EPA per target for guys with at least 10 routes run. You know that ranking just took another dive after that abysmal performance.
Where Did the Separation Go? And What About the Cost?
It’s one thing if a receiver struggles with overall catches but still blows the top off defenses, right? That’s not Metcalf’s game anymore. His average depth of target since becoming a Steeler is a shockingly low 7.21 yards, putting him at 121st in the NFL. Despite targeting him so close to the line, his reception percentage is still a miserable 101st. And the most glaring issue? Separation. He’s averaging less than two yards of separation so far in 2026, after only averaging 2.6 yards in 2025. You can’t make plays if you can’t get open! For the cash Metcalf is pulling in, this lack of production is simply inexcusable. Just two games into 2026, he has eight receptions for 67 yards. Do the math, and that’s roughly $29,000 per yard. Ouch. This isn’t just “bad” performance, it’s a net negative on the field, pushing him into “borderline unplayable” territory.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Pittsburgh, especially when you remember the Seahawks traded Metcalf last March. It looks like a savvy move by the Emerald City, doesn’t it? The Steelers, meanwhile, are stuck. Releasing him in 2027 would cost them a massive $49 million in dead cap. The fact that we’re even discussing a dead cap figure just two weeks into the season tells you everything you need to know about the mess they’re in. This early in the year, this kind of contract burden is a problem that won’t just disappear.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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