Weeks after being acquired and signed by the Steelers in March, DK Metcalf reached out to Aaron Rodgers. It wasn't because he wanted to sway Rodgers in the direction of the Steelers. He just wanted to get to know him as a person and a quarterback. 

Metcalf's efforts led to a conversation between the two and a subsequent throwing session at UCLA, an experience in which Metcalf received a peek at the cerebral approach Rodgers takes toward the game. Now, he officially gets to see it on the field, as two of the newest members of the Steelers are getting acclimated to their new environment during mandatory minicamp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. 

"I like the way he views the game from a receiver’s standpoint, but also from a quarterback’s standpoint," Metcalf said prior to the start of today's practice. "I think I can gain a lot of knowledge just from being around him because he’s seen a lot of football. Just trying to soak up as much information as I can."

Metcalf will undoubtedly be Rodgers' top target this season. That would have been the case had the Steelers elected not trade George Pickens to the Cowboys, and that's most certainly the case now. Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has posted three 1,000-yard seasons and registered 900-plus yards in all six of his years in the National Football League. He's thrived in Seattle offenses that featured multiple weapons, including the likes of Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker, and will be relied upon to once again serve as a top offensive threat in black and gold. 

"It's been great," Arthur Smith said of working with Metcalf so far. "I mean, talking to the guy that I've watched from afar, he's in phenomenal shape. He's a physical wide out and he can bring an explosive element to our offense, which is what we're looking for."

Having a head start in terms of building a rapport with a new starting quarterback certainly helps Metcalf’s cause. That process has continued during minicamp and will progress once again when the two link up before training camp. But that rapport-building isn't limited to what they learn about each other's tendencies on the field. Getting to know each other on a personal level is important, too. 

"I've gone against him a number of times and he's big, athletic, fast and he's got great hands and ball skills," Rodgers said yesterday. "The thing that really excites me the most is his character. I think he's a high-character guy. I was teasing him because one of the first conversations we had, he said 'yes sir' like 10 times. I said, 'Is that because I'm 41?' He said, 'No, that's just how I talk.' I like his whole personality, his approach, the way he is on the field and his professionalism."

There isn't much of a reason to question what the Steelers will get out of Metcalf, who was acquired from Seattle before signing a five-year, $150 million contract that set a franchise record for the richest deal ever given to a non-quarterback. He'll provide a valuable weapon to a veteran quarterback whose quick release and ability to make things happen when a play breaks down have already stood out in the eyes of Metcalf during minicamp. 

There are some questions, however, surrounding the rest of the receiving corps and whether a more clear-cut, external answer at the No. 2 spot on the depth chart is needed. Perhaps the Steelers still go out and get another receiver to fill that spot. Maybe they’ll stick with what they have internally. If you ask wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, the answer is already on the roster. 

"Everyone overlooks No. 19," Azzanni said, referring to Calvin Austin III. "The guy is a legit NFL receiver. He gets separation all over the field, he'll bite your face off in the run game, nothing affects him and he’s a great leader. He can do a lot of things that a No. 2 can do.”

As for the likes of guys like Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek, Azzanni says they're all battling for a spot within a group that will operate with a "by committee" type of approach. And he’s not at all opposed to that. 

"There's a lot of really cool pieces there that are sneaky," Azzanni said. "Everyone is downplaying, underplaying our group right now and I love it that way. I don’t really want anyone looking at us anyway.”

Metcalf has the talent of an elite wide receiver, along with the numbers to prove he belongs in that category. But he also has six years of valuable experience to share with the rest of the receivers' room. 

This morning, Metcalf addressed the opportunity in particular to help mentor Austin and Wilson, two players with talent, but a limited amount of NFL experience. Austin has totaled 53 receptions for 728 yards and scored five touchdowns in 34 career games and Wilson has yet to record a reception in the NFL due to two particular injuries that limited him to one game played during his rookie season in 2024. 

Metcalf described Austin and Wilson as two special players with "unique skill sets." He said he can only help them as much as they want him to. He'll be an open book for any questions they might have, but he's not going to force himself on them. In fact, there's plenty Metcalf can learn from the guys he's now sharing a receivers' room with. 

"Once they make the decision to come ask me questions, then I'll try to pour as much knowledge as I can into them," Metcalf said. "They're great players in their own right. I'm going to be asking them questions as well in how they see the game. Just piggybacking off of what they do and just bouncing ideas off each other."