Pittsburgh Steelers WRs D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. didn't play in the preseason because of injuries.
However, both playmakers are expected to play Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, per ESPN .
Metcalf had 59 receptions last season for 850 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns in his first year with the Steelers. The 850 receiving yards were a career low for the two-time Pro Bowler.
Metcalf has played for the Seattle Seahawks and Steelers. He enters this season with 7,174 receiving yards and 54 receiving touchdowns in his career.
Pittman Jr. finished with 80 catches for 784 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 2025. He's one of the most consistent receivers in the NFL despite never having made the Pro Bowl.
The Steelers signed Pittman Jr. to a three-year, $59 million extension after acquiring him from the Colts. Pittman Jr. was the 34th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of USC. He has 485 receptions for 5,254 receiving yards and 25 receiving touchdowns in the NFL.
Metcalf and Pittman Jr. will catch passes from future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers , who will retire from the NFL after the 2026 season. The NFL legend put up 3,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. The four-time MVP completed 65.7% of his passes.
The Steelers won the AFC North last season but lost to the Houston Texans at home in the wild-card round of the 2026 playoffs. Mike McCarthy was hired after Mike Tomlin stepped down from his post.
McCarthy and Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers as members of the Packers. Rodgers is glad that McCarthy will be his head coach in his final NFL season.
"The fun thing, for me, is that this is a real full-circle moment for me and Mike — the closing of my career and the end of his career being back home in Pittsburgh," Rodgers said, via The Athletic . "The surreal aspect of it has kind of drifted a little bit, but it's still really special to hear that voice in my head that I've heard for so many years."
"Just to be able to take this final lap with him, it's awesome," McCarthy said. "You always want to do a great job, but now to do it with him in his last chapter, it's special."
