DK Metcalf has managed just eight receptions for a measly 67 yards through the first two games of the 2026 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yeah, you read that right. Zero touchdowns, too. That’s a brutal start for any receiver, let alone one with Metcalf’s reputation, but Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy isn’t sounding the alarm just yet. He’s publicly backing his star wideout, calling Metcalf a “pro” and saying he’s “very impressed with his professionalism.” It’s a vote of confidence, for sure, but the on-field results have been incredibly frustrating.
The Numbers Are Ugly, No Way Around It
Let’s just look at the raw data, because it’s not pretty. Through two contests, Metcalf is averaging just 8.4 yards per catch. For a guy known as a big-play threat, that’s almost unbelievable. In their season-opening victory against the Atlanta Falcons, he hauled in four passes for 40 yards. Decent enough, maybe, but not the explosive plays you expect. Things got even worse in Sunday’s 20-3 absolutely brutal loss to the New England Patriots. Metcalf finished that game with only four catches for 27 yards on a whopping nine targets, averaging a paltry 6.8 yards per reception. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he also dropped two passes. Opportunities for those highlight-reel, downfield plays were there in Week 1, but he couldn’t consistently cash in. Against New England, the struggles just kept piling up. The entire Steelers offense clearly struggled to generate any explosive plays, and Metcalf’s numbers reflect that big time.
McCarthy’s Trust and Metcalf’s Track Record
Despite the rough start and obvious offensive woes, McCarthy’s faith in Metcalf is crystal clear. You gotta wonder what he’s seeing in practice, or if it’s purely based on past performance. Because Metcalf’s career track record is exactly why this slow start feels so weird. He’s put up three 1,000-yard seasons in his career and rolled into 2026 with 54 career receiving touchdowns. Those aren’t just good numbers, those are elite receiver numbers. That kind of history definitely suggests a turnaround is still possible. For the Steelers, though, the biggest priority is getting the entire offense cooking. Only three points against New England? That’s unacceptable. McCarthy himself owned up to the unit’s struggles after the loss, saying the offense lacked execution and detail.
The ball has to start finding Metcalf downfield, and he has to start making those plays if this offense is going to turn things around. The priority is clear: get more out of this unit, and that means getting more out of their big-name receiver. Can Metcalf shake off these early struggles and get back to being the game-wrecker we know he can be? It’s going to be fascinating to watch if McCarthy’s confidence pays off.
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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