As Mike DeFabo wrote before kickoff, tonight’s game would serve a a referendum as whether the Steelers were correct in not being more aggressive in trading for a wide receiver before the midseason deadline this past week.
In that light, tonight could not have gone worse for Pittsburgh.
DK Metcalf is still a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver, but only registered 35 yards on three catches. When facing young, talented secondaries like that of the Chargers, he’s been bottled up, and he was tonight — and nobody stepped up behind him. Roman Wilson matched Metcalf’s yardage total, but only thanks to a garbage-time touchdown catch. Calvin Austin III saw a pass bounce off his hands for an easy Chargers interception. Steelers tight ends combined for 52 receiving yards, the majority of which came from Pat Freiermuth.
Aaron Rodgers has shown this season (though certainly not tonight) that he still has some left in the tank. It’s on the Steelers for not maximizing him further.
