Steelers’ DK Metcalf Gets Punished by NFL for Controversial Actions
Things did not go according to plan for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. After suffering a shocking upset defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7, the Steelers were hoping to get back on track against the Green Bay Packers. Instead, they suffered their second-straight loss, with the final score coming in at 35-25.
Tempers flared throughout this game, and unsurprisingly, star wide receiver DK Metcalf found himself mixing it up with the Packers’ defense. Along the way, Metcalf was involved in a controversial encounter with Green Bay linebacker Quay Walker, and on Saturday, it was announced that he has been punished by the NFL for his actions.
DK Metcalf Fined for Quay Walker Encounter
The NFL fined Steelers WR DK Metcalf $12,172 for unsportsmanlike conduct — this run-in with Packers LB Quay Walker last week.
Over the offseason, Pittsburgh swung a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks to bring Metcalf to town. Through seven games, Metcalf has clearly been quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target in the passing game, as he’s got 27 catches for 461 yards and five scores. The problem is that the team doesn’t have much depth at wide receiver behind him, which allows opposing defenses to give Metcalf more attention.
While the Steelers are 4-3, it hasn’t always been easy for them to move the ball on offense. There are admittedly quite a few new faces in town, so it’s going to take some time for everyone to get on the same page. But several times against the Packers, those tempers boiled over, and it resulted in Metcalf picking up a costly penalty in the fourth quarter.
On 2nd & 7 with just over 10 minutes left in the game, Jaylen Warren picked up five yards on a run, but it was quickly wiped out after Metcalf appeared to attempt to stick his hand into Walker’s helmet and poke his eye. Pittsburgh was pushed back 15 yards, setting up a 3rd & 17 that they did not convert. Not only did Metcalf’s actions hurt his team, but they also cost him a pretty penny, as it was revealed on Saturday that he was fined $12,172 for this encounter.
“The NFL fined Steelers WR DK Metcalf $12,172 for unsportsmanlike conduct — this run-in with Packers LB Quay Walker last week,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network shared in a post on X.
DK Metcalf, Steelers Looking to Get Back in the Win Column in Week 9
GettyDK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass against the Green Bay Packers.
Metcalf’s penalty was costly in multiple ways, as it ended up stalling a promising drive in a game Pittsburgh lost. Considering how much the Steelers gave up to get Metcalf, he can’t afford to be making mistakes like this one on a regular basis. Pittsburgh needs every win it can get right now, and foolish plays like this have hampered the team over the past two weeks.
The Steelers will be intent on getting back in the win column in Week 9, but that’s going to be easier said than done, because they have a matchup with the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts on their hands. If Pittsburgh does stuff like this against Indianapolis, it will have no shot of winning. Kickoff for this big game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on Metcalf to see if he can put together a bounce-back performance for his new team.
Eric DeCosta's genius play sets the stage for Ravens trade deadline frenzy
The Baltimore Ravens added some more draft capital on Saturday afternoon, dealing cornerback Jaire Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 sixth-round selection. The pick Baltimore received belongs to the Denver Broncos.
At face value, the deal does not provide much for the Ravens. They move on from a disappointing signing from this past offseason and get a favorable pick swap from the Eagles. The move does not hurt Baltimore at all, as Alexander played just two games with the team. For Philadelphia, it is a buy-low move for a secondary desperate for help.
However, this trade signals much bigger moves on the way for the Ravens. While they are gaining momentum on their two-game win streak, they still need plenty of help to have a strong shot at the playoffs in 2025. Their 3-5 record puts them in a difficult spot, and General Manager Eric DeCosta should be an active player, buying ahead of the trade deadline.
Eric DeCosta has more to come after Jaire Alexander trade
The Ravens now have an open spot on their 53-man roster. Alexander was healthy enough to see the field, but could never fully get over that nagging knee injury. He also lacked special teams value. He took up an active roster spot, but provided little to no value. With the trade, Baltimore finally frees up a spot for a player who could be a real contributor, as they look to make a competitive run heading into the rest of the 2025 campaign.
More significantly, DeCosta added an additional $2 million to the team’s cap space. With so much talent on the roster, the Ravens have been tight for cap space. However, the Odafe Oweh and Jaire Alexander trades have cleared enough money to make some significant moves in the coming days. With over $15 million in cap space now, money should not be much of an issue for DeCosta and the front office.
The draft capital could come in handy in future trades, too. While it is only a sixth-rounder, and a selection that is expected to be a late one at that, it could be used to strike a deal for a key depth piece at corner or defensive line. DeCosta could also package the pick for a bigger move. They now have five picks between the fifth and sixth rounds, which is undoubtedly enough to make some impactful moves ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
Although Baltimore’s season looked lost three weeks ago, they could be one of the more competitive teams calling for help at the trade deadline. Their latest Alexander deal makes almost anything possible for the third-place AFC North squad.
