Steelers Fans Get Extremely Reassuring Message Following Troubling DK Metcalf Situation

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming up on a point in the season where they can clinch a spot in the playoffs by officially winning the AFC North. Pittsburgh was not the favorites to win the division before the 2025 season began, but the team seemed to have their sights set on the division crown after beginning the year with a 4-1 record, while the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals struggled. The Cleveland Browns, well, continued to be the Cleveland Browns. It has been an up and down season since then, but now the Steelers can clinch the North with a win over Cleveland on Sunday.

The Steelers have two ways to clinch the division in Week 17. If the Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, the Steelers will officially win the AFC North, or if Pittsburgh beats Cleveland on Sunday. Pittsburgh is obviously focused on its own game, and that includes addressing a major problem at wide receiver. DK Metcalf is suspended for the rest of the regular season after getting into an altercation with a fan on the sidelines during Pittsburgh's Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions. This leaves some concerns for the passing game, but former NFL offensive lineman and film guru Brian Baldinger, doesn't believe it will be a big issue for the Steelers, which he recently made clear on the Move The Sticks podcast.

"He had four catches in the game, but a lot of them were on third downs," Baldinger said. "And you kind of get the feeling Aaron [Rodgers] just needs a trusted veteran on third downs to go win a route and he'll get you the ball. He'll flick it, he'll have an accurate throw. But a guy that he can really, really put his trust into, [Adam] Thielen is going to be a guy that I think they can count on to step up right now."

Baldinger spoke about Adam Thielen's performance in the win over the Lions as the veteran receiver hauled in four passes for 49 yards. He was a consistent target of quarterback Aaron Rodgers when the Steelers needed to pick up a first down, and Thielen seems to be the veteran wide receiver that Rodgers might have needed all year long. It is clear Rodgers trusts Thielen, which is good news for Pittsburgh.

Thielen has been a very productive wide receiver throughout his career. He had his best years with the Minnesota Vikings, but he also spent some time with the Carolina Panthers, and even put up a 1,000-yard season with a struggling Bryce Young at quarterback. Thielen has incredible talent, but his experience and intelligence allows him to be the kind of guy Rodgers has wanted to be throwing to.

It is very unlikely that Thielen goes for 100 yards or has some insane postseason run, but there is something to be said about a quarterback knowing exactly where he can go with the football on a critical down. Rodgers now has that, which means some more drives should be extended for the Steelers. That is crucial as eating up the clock has been a key to victory over the last several weeks.

Steelers' Veteran Wide Receivers Are Stepping Up At The Right Time

Thielen is not the only veteran wide receiver who had a nice game for Pittsburgh in Detroit. Scotty Miller also caught three passes from Rodgers. A pair of those receptions extended drives by picking up a first down, one of which coming on fourth down. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has also been a tool for the offense as he scored a touchdown in Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins.

Losing Metcalf for the rest of the regular season is not ideal, but having these veteran wide receivers step up in critical moments should give the fan base some optimism.

What do you think about Baldinger's thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

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