Football
The last time we saw Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf on a football field, he was having a stellar game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. He caught five passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. It was a moment that he described as feeling like he finally belonged in Pittsburgh.
Despite the big yardage number, it wasn’t a typical Metcalf performance. In fact, his first four games with the Steelers are very different from his time in Seattle. He’s turned into the premier yards-after-catch receiver in the league. But The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo thinks that could change Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
“I think the key for the Steelers is the Browns, they’re also a very heavy single-high team. And Aaron Rogers has talked repeatedly about how they keep seeing these two high shells, and that’s prevented them from throwing the ball downfield,” DeFabo said when he joined Jason Mackey on 93.7 The Fan Friday evening. “Well, now really is going to be the test of what Aaron Rodgers is saying. Is it true that they’re not throwing the ball downfield because they’re seeing so many two-high coverages, or is it something else? Because there could be some opportunities if they’re going to get man coverage, if they’re going to get single high, to throw the ball deep to DK Metcalf.”
The Browns, under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, are certainly fans of a single-high safety this year. According to Football Insights, the Browns use a single-high safety with man coverage 38 percent of their defensive snaps. Only four other teams utilize that coverage 30 percent of the time or more, and none more than the Browns.
Team coverage rates through Week 5
Via @FantasyPtsData pic.twitter.com/6mKdoA61sU
— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) October 7, 2025
That could be a welcome sight for QB Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense. As DeFabo said, Rodgers talks a lot about why he’s throwing short so much this year. We know that head coach Mike Tomlin is risk-averse. He wants an offense that keeps the ball and doesn’t put the defense in bad spots.
So, when defenses keep two safeties high, you don’t want to throw deep if you’re trying to protect the ball. But if the Browns keep one safety deep, that will open up options for Aaron Rodgers. And DK Metcalf should be the primary option (and beneficiary).
DeFabo thinks Metcalf should be a big part of the gameplan Sunday versus the Browns. He’s not alone, either. Former Pro Football Focus (and current co-host of Check The Mic) Steve Palazzolo joined The PM Team on Thursday, and he thinks Metcalf and Rodgers should have opportunities in the vertical passing game, too.
Music to Steelers fans’ ears everywhere. After all, who wouldn’t love to see DK Metcalf go off against the Browns?
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