Tim Benz: How I want the Steelers' dominoes to fall after landing DK Metcalf

I like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to trade for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. It may be costing them a lot of money (a four-year, $132 million extension on top of $18 million this year), but it only cost them a second-round draft pick.

That’s a second-round draft pick they may have been planning to use on a wide receiver anyway.

Given the new addition of Metcalf, here’s how I hope the dominoes fall for the Steelers in the next few days:

• Wish Justin Fields good luck with his next team: I don’t think the Steelers brought a $33 million per year receiver on board to have Justin Fields throw him the ball. He’s not an accomplished enough passer.

I think this means Minnesota’s Sam Darnold or Russell Wilson will be the quarterback. Hopefully, it is Darnold. The Athletic is reporting that he’ll be getting a contract offer from the Steelers soon.

Seattle is the other team most frequently mentioned with Darnold. Maybe grabbing Metcalf from the Seahawks was a preemptive strike.

Then again, Wilson and Metcalf have a good relationship going back to their playing days together in Seattle, as do Wilson’s wife (Ciara) and Metcalf’s girlfriend (Normani). They are both pop music singers, and all four were recently photographed together.

Metcalf had 3,170 yards and 29 touchdowns during his first three years in Seattle while Wilson was still the QB there.

• Trade George Pickens: Some see visions of a two-headed monster of Metcalf and George Pickens on the outside. That is very intriguing.

Here’s something else I can see: A race between the two receivers to see who gets the most penalties for fighting with defensive players and grabbing their facemasks.

These are two pretty combustible guys we are talking about. That’s a lot to manage in-game.

The Steelers don’t complete a lot of passes, regardless of who is playing quarterback. Trying to keep those two happy in an Arthur Smith offense will be a chore.

Meanwhile, here’s what I can’t see: A world in which the Steelers are paying both Pickens and Metcalf $30 million apiece. That’s what Pickens is going to want on his extension this summer. That’s what Metcalf just got.

I was on board with trading Pickens before Metcalf was acquired. I really am now. Trade Pickens for a second-round pick to replace the one that was lost in the Metcalf deal. Use that pick to get another wide receiver in the draft. Or use it on a first-round receiver and get a defensive lineman in the second round.

More sports

• 'Madden Monday' on the Steelers' getting DK Metcalf: Now 'go sign Sam Darnold'
• First Call: Steelers will reportedly offer Sam Darnold a contract; Marc-Andre Fleury's postgame meeting with ex-teammates
• 'A standard to uphold': Jared Triolo brings Gold Glove defense to Pirates in super utility role

• Call T.J. Watt’s agent: Use this cash layout as the explanation to Watt’s representatives as to why they won’t be able to match the exorbitant price tags that were paid to Maxx Crosby ($91.5 million guaranteed) in Las Vegas and Myles Garrett ($123.5 million guaranteed) in Cleveland — to say nothing of what Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson may get.

If Watt is really serious about wanting to stay in Pittsburgh and win here, well, the Steelers just got better yesterday. And if they acquire Darnold, they may be better still.

If he’s not happy with an extension that falls short of those numbers, then he can just play out the last year of his current deal in 2025 and see how much he wants to stay in Pittsburgh when he is a free agent next March.

• Draft a QB early on Day 3: The Steelers spoke with Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough last week. He is starting to rise up draft boards.

"To me, the next best tape of a college quarterback that I saw was Tyler Shough from Louisville." @GregCosell has a SHOCKING QB2 in the 2025 NFL Draft: pic.twitter.com/oliIWwib1q

— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) February 21, 2025

If he flies up into Friday night draft position, that may be too soon, given the Steelers’ other needs. Otherwise, he might be a worthy choice.

If the starting QB was going to be Fields, then drafting Shough (or someone of his ilk) would’ve started an instant quarterback controversy. If it’s Darnold or Wilson, Shough can be viewed as a developmental project pick behind a more established veteran.