How Will DK Metcalf Play For The Steelers? Trends of 800+ Yard Receiver After Changing Teams

Now that he’s officially been dealt from the Seattle Seahawks, we have already seen an odds shift for the Pittsburgh Steelers with two-time Pro Bowl wideout DK Metcalf giving the AFC North franchise a top tier pass catcher in 2025 and beyond. 

Metcalf will be in the Steel City for the foreseeable future, as well, as the former Ole Miss star signed a four-year, $132 million extension with the Steelers after being dealt by Seattle, smashing the three-year, $72 million rookie extension he signed with Seattle in terms of financial heft.  

Utilizing Pro-Football-Reference.com, PennStakes.com found the trends of how wide receivers perform on their new team the year after achieving 800 or more receiving yards with their previous team. From the last 5 seasons (2020-2024), we found 16 wide receivers who fit the mold. 

Bookmark our Steelers Super Bowl odds page here ahead of the season.

21+. New customers AZ, MI, NJ and PA only. New customers who wager $10+ cash on any market with odds of -500 or longer are eligible to receive $100 in Bonus Bets (“Rewards”) each day for your first three (3) days. You must wager $10+ each day to be eligible for the Rewards each day. Bonus Bets will be issued within 72 hours of your Qualifying Wager settling. Bonus Bets expire 7 days from issuance. This offer is not available in NY. Terms apply- see Fanatics Sportsbook app. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ) Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.1800gambler.net (MI, NJ, PA)

What Can Steelers Fans Expect From Metcalf?

Average Receptions  
Year Over Year 

Average Receiving Yards 
Year Over Year 

Average Touchdowns 
Year Over Year 

-11 less receptions 

-102 less receiving yards 

-1 less TD 

A year after hauling in 66 catches for 992 yards and five scores, Metcalf will be tasked with upping his production as a big money acquisition in his new home, which shouldn’t be too much of an ask for a guy that’s had three 1,000-yard seasons in five years as a professional player at Pennsylvania sportsbooks.  

To date, Metcalf’s “worst” NFL season was still quite productive, with his yearly low in receptions and yards coming during his rookie campaign in 2019, when he still hauled in 58 catches for 900 yards, illustrating how well he’s played since Day 1 in the NFL as a second round pick out of the SEC institution.  

To date, players like Metcalf that were dealt after finishing the year before with 800 or more receiving yards finished the following season with 11 fewer receptions, 102 fewer receiving yards and one less receiving touchdown on average, speaking to the fact that the grass isn’t necessarily greener just because you’ve changed teams in the NFL. (Among players included in this research: AJ Brown, DaVante Adams, Tyreek Hill, DJ Moore, Stefon Diggs, to name a few).

This season, Metcalf will set out to buck the trends above, guiding Pittsburgh back to the franchise’s glory days while anchoring the Steelers’ offensive system under longtime head coach Mike Tomlin in the meat grinder that is the AFC North, with the Baltimore Ravens providing a stiff challenge once again in 2025.  

Stay tuned to PennStakes for PA sportsbook promos, plus news on whether it will truly be Aaron Rodgers throwing Metcalf the ball in 2025...

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 3/16/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Author

Christopher Boan

Christopher Boan has been covering sports and sports betting for more than seven years, including stops at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly and the Green Valley News.

Cited by leading media organizations, such as: