PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have acquired a top wide receiver in each of the past two offseasons. This year, it was a trade with the Indianapolis Colts that landed them Michael Pittman Jr.

Last season, the Steelers swung big by acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. It cost them a second-round draft pick and a massive new contract, but they landed a home run hitter on the outside by bringing Metcalf in.

But according to Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports, the Steelers might be considering a move for the big receiver. In a recent article, he outlined why the Washington Commanders are the ideal trade partner.

“Metcalf was a bit of a disappointment last season with just 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns as Rodgers struggled to find him downfield,” he wrote. “He’d have better luck with the younger, stronger Jayden Daniels throwing him the ball. And the Commanders are desperate for a WR opposite Terry McLaurin. Metcalf cost the Steelers a second-round pick. But after a down year, and with three years and more than $100 million left on his contract, something less would do.”

Would Steelers Move Metcalf?

Vacchiano has a fundamental misunderstanding of the Steelers’ plans for 2026, and that’s what fuels this analysis. In his article, he writes about the Steelers deciding between going all-in once again with Aaron Rodgers and rebuilding.

The only problem, the Steelers have already made that decision. They are attempting to win this year, with no plans to rebuild whatsoever.

If that is the main reason the Steelers would consider moving on, consider that case closed. The Steelers aren’t trading him.

Another reason to consider is that the Steelers have maintained their commitment to Metcalf, even when they’ve had easy avenues to opt out. Following the interaction with the Detroit Lions fan that drew a ton of buzz, the Steelers could have used it to activate clauses in his deal that would negate nearly half of the money he was owed.

Instead, the Steelers kept that guaranteed money in his deal. Not only was it a showing of good faith from the organization, but it was also a commitment to the player over the life of the contract.

What Would A Metcalf Trade Look Like?

Vacchiano projected a deal would net less than what the Steelers paid for Metcalf’s services. While the Steelers sent Seattle a second-round pick, Vacchiano believes that the Commanders could acquire Metcalf for a third-round pick in the upcoming draft and a fifth-round pick in the following draft.

The Steelers already have an incomplete wide receiver room with Metcalf as the number one option. Even with him and Pittman Jr. on the roster, the need for another playmaker is glaring.

There’s simply no way the Steelers move on from Metcalf unless the veteran pass-catcher specifically wants out of Pittsburgh. Until that happens, any trade speculation is just gossip.

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NFL draft construction is underway in Point State Park, closing off a portion of the park as crews start setting up for what will be a major part of the “NFL Draft Experience.”

Fences are beginning to surround the park lawns. The portion of the trails along the Monongahela River near the Fort Pitt Museum is completely closed off, with access to the museum and Fort Pitt Block House open.

The southbound side of Commonwealth Place is also closed to allow for a staging area, leading to traffic, at times, around the Wyndham Hotel.

A walk through the park on Saturday meant dodging forklifts that were bringing materials around. Meanwhile, people continued to enjoy a nice day at the park, having picnics, resting, or just looking at the rivers.

KDKA-TV’s crew even found one man, Conrad Lloyd, hanging out in a tree.

“Most times I come here when it’s not icy or snowy because I feel like it’s a nice way to feel like a child again,” Lloyd said.

From his perch, he had a view of all the construction. KDKA-TV watched as parents kept their kids away from a platform.

“I just hope they are practicing the best they can with safety because I think there are a lot of crazies downtown who wouldn’t be afraid to steal a forklift,” Lloyd said.

Safety was also on the minds of the crews. They told KDKA-TV it’s the reason the main lawn would be closed starting Sunday as construction intensifies. A Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources spokesperson confirmed there would be additional closures on Sunday, but did not specify exactly where.

“I did not know that, and that is not the best,” Lloyd said. “It’ll be annoying, I guess, at the very least. I will be treeless for a few weeks.”

“It’s a bummer, but we’ll just wait it out, get back here once it’s open again,” River Samek, who was enjoying the park with his family, said.

A map on the NFL OnePass shows that access will remain open in some capacity to the fountain at the point in some capacity.

The map, however, did show that there would not be easy access to the Fort Duquesne pedestrian bridge, forcing people to walk to the Roberto Clemente Bridge if they want to cross from one part of the NFL draft footprint to the other.

The Gateway Clipper will also run across the Allegheny River, but a source familiar with the city’s planning told KDKA-TV it won’t be running for the entirety of the draft.

Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor was asked about draft construction in the morning. Roads are being reconstructed, and fencing and signs are going up, he said.

“We’re using weekends to do a lot of it because there’s not as much traffic downtown as there would be during the week,” O’Connor said.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a laundry list of players who are sitting out the team’s game against the Washington Capitals Saturday at PPG Paints Arena, notably Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

The Penguins announced seven players are injured and will not play:

• Sidney Crosby (lower-body)
• Ben Kindel (upper-body)
• Evgeni Malkin (upper-body)
• Bryan Rust (lower-body)
• Parker Wotherspoon (upper-body)
• Erik Karlsson (lower-body)
• Kris Letang (No injury listed)

To fill the open roster spots, the Penguins recalled Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty, and Joona Koppanen, all on an emergency basis.

Also, forward Connor Dewar’s status was changed from day-to-day to week-to-week.

Crosby has been nursing a knee injury since suffering a Grade 2 MCL tear during the Winter Olympics in February. He missed about four weeks. Malkin has also been nursing multiple injuries, from a shoulder malady to a hand injury.

The Penguins face Washington at 3 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena, the club’s last home game of the regular season. The Penguins have already clinched a playoff berth and second place in the Metro Division, but Washington is still chasing a long shot chance to leapfrog the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Islanders in the final three games.

PHN will update the story after coach Dan Muse addresses the media at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Tags: erik karlsson Evgeni Malkin Kris Letang Sidney Crosby

Categorized:Penguins News