'Time will tell,' Steelers WR coach not yet sold on the idea that DK Metcalf is an immediate upgrade over George Pickens

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 2:32 PM ET

On paper, DK Metcalf is a better player than George Pickens.

The box score, the accolades, and the career earnings all point to Metcalf.

But until he produces in the Black and Gold, Pittsburgh Steelers WR coach Zach Azzanni is holding off on who will be better...

Inserting DK Metcalf for George Pickens won't be seamless

“I don’t know yet. Time will tell," Steelers wide receiver coach Zach Azzanni told the media when asked if the offense will change after swapping Pickens for Metcalf. "They’re both really talented players. They’re both big receivers, which we like. They play the same position. It’ll be interesting, for sure, but time will tell. DK’s jumping on a moving train a little bit, so as we get into Latrobe [training camp], we’ll find out more about what we like to do with him, what we want to do with him, and those things.”

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What works to the Steelers' advantage here is that the team also has a new quarterback. A quarterback whom Arthur Smith will adapt his scheme to. He said as much last week, when he joked that the team wouldn't be running the wishbone (a run-heavy scheme) when they just signed Aaron Rodgers and traded for DK Metcalf.

As for if Metcalf will actually be an upgrade or change the offense for the better, he is, in essnce, a supercharged George Pickens. They both play the game on a vertical plane.

That is, they do their best work when asked to stretch the field opposed to playing over the middle. Think fades, go balls, out routes, corners and more. But Metcalf runs these same routes in a bigger frame, and with more speed, explosion and physicality.

But we saw Pickens go for over 1,100 yards and lead the league in yards per catch despite playing with three different quarterbacks in 2023. Until Metcalf accomplishes feats of similar status in a Steelers uniform, Zach Azzanni and the rest of the Steelers nation will have to wait and see.