Yahoo Sports NFL on DK Metcalf
From the article
For the money Metcalf is making, the production – or lack thereof – is inexcusable. He has eight receptions for 67 yards in the first two games of the year, putting him at roughly $29,000 per yard if we break his contract down on a per game basis. He's not just been bad, he's been a net negative for the Steelers and borderline unplayable.
STACKED’s take
Metcalf's $33M salary unjustified; 57th in EPA per target, 89th in success rate, net negative production.
Through 17 games as a Steeler in 2025, Metcalf caught 67 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns on a four-year, $132 million extension signed after his March 2025 trade from Seattle. He ranked 47th in EPA per target in 2025 and 57th dating back to the start of last season, behind Brandin Cooks, Kalif Raymond, and Lil'Jordan Humphrey. Despite ranking 22nd in target share, he ranked 89th in success rate when targeted over that span. His average depth of target as a Steeler is 7.21 yards (121st in NFL), yet he ranks 101st in reception percentage and is averaging less than two yards of separation in 2026 (2.6 yards in 2025). The source characterizes him as 'not just been bad, he's been a net negative for the Steelers and borderline unplayable' given his $33 million annual salary; he generated roughly $29,000 per yard in the first two games of 2026 (eight receptions, 67 yards). The Steelers would eat $49 million in dead cap in 2027 if they release him.
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