Why DK Metcalf’s Suspension Could Be Both the Best and Worst-Case Scenario for the Steelers

During the Steelers’ Week 16 upset win over the Lions, wide receiver DK Metcalf was involved in an altercation with a fan. 

With a little over two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Metcalf confronted Ryan Kennedy, a 15 year season ticket holder for the Lions. As Kennedy leaned over the front row fence behind the Steelers’ bench, Metcalf grabbed him by his shirt, briefly said something to him and then took a swipe at him.

Metcalf claims that Kennedy called him the ‘N-Word’ and his mother the ‘C-word’, while Kennedy claims he only called the star receiver his full name, DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf. Regardless of who is telling the truth, the NFL suspended Metcalf for the final two games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on player-fan conduct. 

The suspension will cost Metcalf his salary for Pittsburgh’s last two games of the season, which equates to $555,556, but that’s not all it could end up costing him.

A clause in Metcalf’s contract with the Steelers notes that if he fails to practice or play with the team for any reason, his guarantees will be null and void. This negates $45 million in guaranteed money over the next two years, making him expendable should the Steelers choose to move off him for any reason the next two seasons.

While it’s extremely unlikely Pittsburgh decides to cut ties with Metcalf given he is their clear top receiver with little depth behind him – he has 440 more receiving yards than the next closest Steeler – it isn’t completely out of the question. 

The former Seahawk is having the worst year of his career in his first season in Pittsburgh by almost every major receiving statistic. Metcalf’s 850 yards and 99 targets are career lows, and his six touchdowns are tied for his career’s second-worst mark.

Metcalf also ranks 23rd in the league in receiving yards, 30th in targets and 43rd in receptions heading into Week 17, which you can bet are all significantly lower than the Steelers had hoped when they gave him his four-year, $132 million extension last offseason.

But Metcalf isn’t the only one affected by his suspension, as it presents his team with its worst-case scenario: their top threat on offense is unavailable when their games matter the most. 

Pittsburgh only needs to win one more game to win the AFC North and punch their ticket to the postseason, but missing Metcalf could make that extremely difficult.

Today in Cleveland, the Steelers face the Browns, who boast the league's best pass defense, surrendering only 164.1 passing yards per game. When facing the defense that’s the toughest in the NFL to throw against, missing your best receiver is not a recipe for success. 

If the Steelers are unable to get past the Browns, it would set up a Week 18 matchup against the Ravens with the AFC North crown and a ticket to the playoffs on the line. 

Even with Metcalf available, the Steelers barely escaped their first battle with the Ravens in Week 14, and if it wasn’t for two controversial calls, they may not have squeaked out the 27-22 victory.

So, to put it bluntly, Metcalf’s suspension could severely slow the Steelers’ momentum from their three-game win streak and cause them to miss the playoffs altogether. 

However, Metcalf’s suspension could also be the best-case scenario for the Steelers. 

Even with it being the worst year of his career, Metcalf has been the only wide receiver who has contributed to the offense this season. Pittsburgh’s second-most productive wide receiver is Calvin Austin, who only has 317 yards. 

With Metcalf out, the Steelers will be forced to play other receivers like Austin, Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson and recent signees Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling more often and give them more opportunities.

This gives the Steelers a chance to find out if some of their other receivers can step up and produce, which is exactly what they would need to win their first playoff game in eight years if they make the postseason.

Also, Metcalf would be eligible to return for Pittsburgh’s potential playoff game and would likely be angry and motivated after his suspension, potentially leading to increased production from him too.

While it remains to be seen which is true, Metcalf’s suspension truly could be the Steelers’ best or worst-case scenario.