Pittsburgh Steelers Have a Plan for Defenses Double Teaming DK Metcalf

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf had the lowest production of his NFL career last season, recording 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns.

With Aaron Rodgers under center, Metcalf was expected to be more of a 1,000 plus yard receiver for Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers didn't have a good receiver corps to complement Metcalf, which meant opposing defenses opted to double team him, which stymied the offense.

Pittsburgh traded for Michael Pittman Jr. to give the offense another big-bodied pass catcher. Steelers wide receivers coach Adam Henry believes Pittman should make defenses pay if they try do double team Metcalf this fall.

"If he's getting a double team, then there should be two other receivers that are going to get open, or even a tight end," said Henry, via the Steelers. "So, in that aspect, we need everybody to do their part, because at times, you're not going to always go against the best corner.

"You may go against a second or third best corner, so that receiver has to take control of that situation at one-on-one and win his one-on-one."

While Pittman and Metcalf offer Rodgers a physical target, six-foot-one rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard will use his speed to get open.

Henry said Bernard has been a fast learner during OTAs. That's an essential skillset for the receiver to get more playing time in the regular season because he's going to be asked to play multiple positions at receiver.

"Those days are gone," said Henry. "You have to be a conceptual thought processor, learn the whole picture. How do you plug and play in that picture.

"This is where things are now. No one has a position. You just play all over. And then when it's time to play, when something happens, you play the next best receiver, not the next X or Z or whatever."

Just the combination of Bernard's speed and Pittman's size would create challenges for any defense. 

With Metcalf, secondaries will have to choose their poison instead of only focusing on him, and the veteran Rodgers has a knack for finding the open target. And of course, a better run game should complement the passing game this season.