Smith Criticizes Metcalf After Steelers Win

ESPN analyst Alex Smith said Steelers receiver DK Metcalf cannot separate on go or slant routes after a four-catch-yard performance against the Browns.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football

Smith Criticizes Metcalf After Steelers Win

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On NFL Countdown, ESPN analyst Alex Smith criticized Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf following a 27-6 Steelers win over the Cleveland Browns. Metcalf caught one pass for 4 yards on six targets as the Steelers entered their bye week with a four-game winning streak and the AFC North lead.

Why it matters

Metcalf, acquired from Seattle for a second-round pick and signed to a five-year, $150 million contract, has produced limited output this season. The criticism puts his production under scrutiny for a Steelers offense that relied heavily on the running game in the win.

Metcalf has 33 receptions for 378 yards and one touchdown through eight games, and he has been held below 50 receiving yards in five of them. The Steelers' 143-yard rushing performance from Warren against Cleveland highlighted an offense that leaned on the ground game in the win.

The players

Alex Smith

Alex Smith is a former NFL quarterback who now works as an ESPN analyst, appearing on NFL Countdown to break down games and player performance.

DK Metcalf

DK Metcalf is a Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver known for his size and speed, acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade.

The details

Smith said Metcalf cannot separate on go routes or slant routes, and noted a Rodgers throw down the middle that slipped through Metcalf's hands. Metcalf also threw a fumble that Browns cornerback Denzel Ward turned into an interception in the third quarter.

March 2025: The Steelers sent a second-round pick to Seattle to acquire Metcalf.
Oct. 1: Metcalf posted five catches for 115 yards in a loss to Cleveland.
Nov. 2: The Steelers beat the Browns 27-6 and Smith criticized Metcalf on NFL Countdown.

Season Trajectory

The Steelers enter their bye week at 6-2 atop the AFC North, so the receiver production question matters for the team's playoff positioning. Metcalf's acquisition cost and contract make his limited output a visible storyline in a division race.

Metcalf's limited targets and output affect fantasy rosters, as he has been held below 50 receiving yards in five games. Fans tracking the Steelers' offense should watch whether his role changes after the bye week.

The takeaway

Receiver production depends heavily on how an offense distributes targets, and early-season numbers can shift as coaches adjust. Readers following the Steelers should track Metcalf's target share once play resumes after the bye.