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Pittman's absence in Week 2 could create additional opportunities for DK Metcalf in Pittsburgh's offense.

Aaron Rodgers expressed confidence in continuing to target DK Metcalf despite a rough Week 1 performance, stating "I'm going to keep feeding him." Rodgers attributed much of Metcalf's struggles to controversial no-calls on pass interference, noting "We had another blatant PI on DK that wasn't called" and "I had DK in the end zone, for sure PI. He still almost made a ridiculous catch." The source notes Metcalf left explosive plays on the table with an opportunity for maybe another 150 yards, and Rodgers believes the team's downfield passing game will improve moving forward.

DK Metcalf had a frustrating Week 1 performance with dropped passes and missed explosive opportunities (estimated 150 additional yards left on the table), plus two offensive pass interference flags and multiple uncalled defensive pass interference plays against him. However, Aaron Rodgers explicitly committed to continuing to target him heavily moving forward, stating 'I'm going to keep feeding him.' Week 2 vs. New England presents a bounce-back opportunity, especially if Michael Pittman Jr. remains unavailable due to injury, which would increase Metcalf's target volume.

Ranked in the top tier of Week 2 WR rankings by Yahoo Fantasy Football analysts, indicating strong projected performance for the week.

Metcalf's fantasy stock booms if Pittman sits due to a foot injury, suggesting significant upside contingent on opponent wide receiver availability.

DK Metcalf's fantasy stock booms if Michael Pittman Jr. misses Week 2 due to foot injury; Pittman missing practice and expected to sit Week 2 opens the door for Metcalf to feast in Mike McCarthy's offense.

The Steelers played McCarthy ball on Sunday with a +10.1% PROE, leading the league and twice as high as the No. 2 team. Metcalf saw the second-most air yards (171) of any wideout in Week 1 and led the Steelers with a healthy 26 percent target share. McCarthy has been at the forefront of the passing revolution throughout the past decade.

The Steelers played McCarthy ball on Sunday, dialing up a +10.1% PROE that led the league and was twice as high as the No. 2 team. McCarthy has been at the forefront of the passing revolution throughout the past decade. Metcalf saw the second-most air yards (171) of any wideout in Week 1 and led the Steelers with a healthy 26 percent target share.

Metcalf was behind the defense on multiple deep shots in Week 1 (overthrown slot go route on 3rd play, non-PI call go route down left sideline, crosser he dropped), showing the Steelers are taking aggressive shots downfield. The source is encouraged by these near misses on chunk plays, noting they almost certainly won't go 0-for-9 on deep shots again and would have hit on a handful if not for drops and penalties.

In Week 1, Metcalf was behind the defense on an overthrown slot go route on the 3rd play, behind the defense on a non-PI call go route down the left sideline, and behind the defense on a crosser that he dropped. Despite the drops and penalties, the source is encouraged by the near misses on chunk plays and expects the Steelers to hit on a handful of deep shots going forward. Against the Patriots in Week 2, the source would be pleased with 5+ receptions for 60+ yards.

Metcalf is due for a positive regression visit from the Regression Reaper in Week 2 against New England. He ran ice cold in Week 1 against Atlanta, but the Patriots' boundary defense struggled significantly in Week 1, making this a favorable matchup. There is some uncertainty about whether Metcalf will be shadowed by Christian Gonzalez.

Metcalf had excellent usage in Week 1: WR6 in expected half-PPR points (15.0) on 204 air yards and 27% target share. Steelers were fifth in neutral pass rate (66%) in new HC Mike McCarthy's debut, far higher than last year's 54%. However, he had a drop over the middle, OPI on out route, and few near completions downfield. He ran far more downfield role (20.4 average depth of target) for WR1. Matchup is difficult: Patriots have elite CB1 Christian Gonzalez with size and speed to match Metcalf. New England allowed just 201 YPG through air in 2025. Metcalf had 35 yards against Gonzalez in Week 3 last year. Steelers have things to work on; betting markets agree with 29th team total (18.0). Projection: 50.5 receiving yards.

Metcalf ran the most crossing routes in the NFL but had a poor Week 1 game with only 8 PPR points and 5 targets. Aaron Rodgers said in his Monday press conference that they need to do a better job getting the ball to Metcalf and that he's going to force-feed him. However, he will face Christian Gonzalez coverage in Week 2.

DK Metcalf ranked among NFL leaders in unrealized air yards in Week 1 with 136 yards, indicating the Steelers were attempting to get him involved downfield despite low overall offensive production; the source notes that at some point Rodgers has to actually connect with his receivers for this to matter.