Earlier this week, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer said he believed it was “bull—t” that Pittsburgh fans chanted for the team to fire head coach Mike Tomlin during the Steelers’ 26-7 home loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Like Sawyer, Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has played under Tomlin only since the start of the season. During a recent chat with Sports Illustrated’s Liam McKeone, Metcalf indicated he’d like to continue working with Tomlin through at least 2026.
How Mike Tomlin has been a great leader amid uncertainty
“I think he’s a great leader,” Metcalf said about Tomlin. “Just the way that he carries himself in and out of the building, how he motivates me and gets me to follow his lead. I think he’s done a heck of a job sitting in there, listening to his team meetings. Anything that he has to say or his point of view about things. He’s coached some great players in his past, and I’m just trying to add to that list with the way that I play.”
The Steelers gave Metcalf a five-year, $150M contract extension after acquiring him from the Seattle Seahawks in March. Pittsburgh’s signing of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in June was viewed as another win-now move for a franchise that hasn’t recorded a playoff win under Tomlin since 2016.
While the Steelers started this season with four wins in five games, they have since dropped to a 6-6 record. As recently as this week, Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger joined the growing list of notable football figures who believe Tomlin and the franchise should consider parting ways in January 2026.
DK Metcalf addresses building chemistry with Aaron Rodgers
Following Pittsburgh’s loss to Buffalo, Rodgers suggested that some Steelers receivers had missed film sessions and, thus, haven’t always known the “right route” to run during games. During his chat with McKeone, Metcalf acknowledged that improving his working relationship with Rodgers is a “continual process” as the two build chemistry.
“Whether he’s signaling me something, or if I got a question about a route or a concept off the field, or if I’m thinking about something late at night after practice or my point of view about something,” Metcalf added during his comments about Rodgers. “I think it’s just a steady stream of communication throughout the whole week so we all get on the same page. Because I might see something that he doesn’t see, and vice versa.”
ESPN stats show that Metcalf heads into Week 14 leading the Steelers with 45 receptions, 75 targets, 605 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns on the season. Those numbers are rather lackluster considering the money attached to Metcalf’s contract.
Meanwhile, the winner of this Sunday’s matchup between the Steelers and the 6-6 Baltimore Ravens will enter next week sitting atop the AFC North standings. As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had Pittsburgh as a six-point road underdog at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.