The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason as their new WR1. Pittsburgh had been lacking a top target on the outside, and Metcalf wanted a new deal. Thus, the Steelers used much of the money they would eventually save by adding Aaron Rodgers on an affordable deal to pay Metcalf long term. Now, Rodgers has an elite playmaker to throw the ball to. Everyone wins.
Yet, it's the Steelers defense that will make or break their season, rather than the offense. Pittsburgh's defense is loaded with star talent, including the newly-acquired Jalen Ramsey, TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Cameron Heyward, Joey Porter Jr. and more. The list goes on and on. According to Metcalf, though, it's the best defense he's ever seen.
That's quite the compliment coming from Metcalf, who was drafted by the Seahawks prior to the 2019 season. It was also the end of the team's Legion of Boom era.
Is DK Metcalf right about the Steelers defense?
The Steelers defense is loaded with star talent, and players make comments like this all the time in training camp. Pittsburgh hasn't played a single game yet with Ramsey in their defensive backfield. Everyone looks good in Latrobe. The same cannot be said in the regular season.
The Steelers defense is one of the best in the NFL year-in and year-out. Last season, the Steelers ranked sixth in rushing yards allowed and 25th in passing yards allowed, hence the addition of Ramsey. Pittsburgh struggled when opposing quarterbacks targeted players other than Porter Jr., or when the pass rush couldn't hit home on a quick count.
The Steelers targeted the defensive side of the ball this offseason, as well, adding Ramsey and selecting Derrick Harmon out of Oregon in the first round of the NFL Draft. Pittsburgh should be a well-rounded, top-5 NFL defense in 2025. But will that be enough?
How do the Steelers compare to Seahawks-era defenses?
It's important to put Metcalf's comments in perspective. By the time he arrived in Seattle, the Legion of Boom era was nearing its conclusion. For example, Metcalf never played a down with Richard Sherman. The height of the Legion of Boom era was in 2014 and 2015. The Seahawks defense looked much different by the time Metcalf entered the league.
The Seahawks consistently ranked near the top of the league in points allowed during Metcalf's tenure with Seattle. Last year was a rare exception in which they ranked middle of the pack. So, while the 12th man may be offended by Metcalf's assertion, it turns out he might have a point.