Why former Seahawks star DK Metcalf wasn't happy with his Steelers debut
In his six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, wide receiver DK Metcalf averaged 65.2 receiving yards per game over 98 career games played with the team. He topped that average in his very first game with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 7.
Still, even after catching four passes for 83 yards in the Steelers' Week 1 win over the New York Jets, Metcalf is unhappy with his and the team's overall performance on offense.
Speaking to ESPN reporter Courtney Cronin following Pittsburgh's win, Metcalf said he wanted to clean up the small details that can contribute to a more decisive win, according to Steelernation's Anthony G. Halkias II.
Like all teams in Week 1, a win doesn't necessarily mean they played their best football.
"You know, this was our first time lining up as a complete offense out there on the field," Metcalf told Cronin after the 34-32 win over the Jets in Week 1, per Halkias. "There was some growing pains, but you know, we worked through it on the sideline, communication, talking inside the locker room. It just came to fruition out here on the field.
"Yeah, we can do better. I am mad at myself at a few of them. Drops, I gotta be better."
It was Metcalf's first game catching passes from future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers in both players' first time suiting up for the Steelers. Practice can only progress an offense and quarterback-to-wide-receiver chemistry so far before it has to be tested in a game.
Despite the two-point victory, the Jets outgained the Steelers' offense 394-271. That was mostly due to Pittsburgh's lack of a rush attack, however, as Rodgers threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns. Metcalf, while not catching a touchdown, accounted for nearly 35% of that yardage.
Metcalf will look to build on a solid first outing with the Steelers in Week 2, his first-ever revenge game against the Seahawks since being traded this offseason. Even though Metcalf initiated the trade, it will still be a high-stakes game for both sides.
Drew Brees gives his take on Bo Nix's fit in Sean Payton's offense
The Denver Broncos are in a really good position, at least according to future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.
According to Brees, head coach Sean Payton's system is still fundamentally the same as when he played with Payton from 2006-21. "The system is fun to watch," said Brees in an interview with Kevin Clark and ESPN's
After talking about Payton's offensive system, Brees turned to the Broncos as a whole. "I love watching the Broncos, love watching Sean," Brees said. "Man, Bo Nix is a really fun quarterback to watch. I think he's got all the traits, all the tools. Great athlete, really runs well, and I don't think he gets enough credit for how well he runs."
For Brees to say this about Nix is interesting, as they have learned from the same coach. Brees went toe-to-toe with some of the best passers football has ever seen, including Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, and all three are certain to be Hall of Famers one day.
Now, with this in mind, Nix is in his second year. Nix struggled in Week 1 of the season against the Tennessee Titans, but there is a lot of football to be played. And Brees knows this. With media and fans calling for a simplified playbook, Brees put some comforting thoughts in his interview.
"I think the complexity of the Sean Payton offense -- look, Sean will make it as complicated as you can handle," said Brees.
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Nix grasped the offense better and better as he got deeper into his rookie year, putting up 29 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards of total offense.
Take a deep breath, Broncos Country. The season is still young, and there is a lot of football yet to be played.
You can watch Brees' full five-minute clip below.
