Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Offers Advice to Struggling DK Metcalf
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Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Offers Advice to Struggling DK Metcalf originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Following a performance he’d like to forget against the Patriots, DK Metcalf looks to move on and prove he can produce at the level he did with the Seahawks. A Steelers legend believes it’s just a mental game for the star receiver.
After four catches on 10 targets for 40 yards against the Falcons in Week 1, Metcalf had four on nine targets for 27 yards against the Patriots. Against New England, Christian Gonzalez helped limit him to two receiving yards before the fourth quarter.
Coach Mike McCarthy stated better platforms to throw off of are needed to help QB Aaron Rodgers produce. That includes Metcalf.
Meanwhile, former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger believes Metcalf needs to get out of his own head and enhance his confidence by talking up the skills that got him to the NFL.
"He’s probably in his own head a little bit," said Roethlisberger on the "Footbahlin" podcast via Heavy. "…Sometimes when you start to struggle, the issue is you start pressing too much. You start trying too hard.
"If I was talking to DK [Metcalf], I would say, 'DK, let me ask you a question. How many balls have you caught in your life? Thousands? Tens of thousands? Maybe hundreds of thousands? In your life, probably hundreds of thousands of footballs. You know how to do it. Don’t overthink it. Just play. Just be you. You’re trying too hard.'"
Picked in the 2019 NFL Draft by Seattle, Metcalf had a career-high 1,303 receiving yards in 2020. He had 992 in 2024. Metcalf got traded to the Steelers last year. He had over 850 receiving yards last season, the lowest yardage total in his career.
The Steelers’ schedule over the next few weeks includes games against the Bengals, Browns, and Colts. Metcalf aims to prove his skills match the multi-year extension he signed.