Steelers receiver DK Metcalf says he no longer wants to play outside the U.S.
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The gist
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf said he wants to play only in the U.S. going forward.
His stance lands as Pittsburgh prepares for the NFL's first Paris game.
Background
DK Metcalf is a veteran Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, listed at 6'4" and 235 lbs, whom the team acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in a 2025 trade and signed to a five-year, $150 million extension. The Steelers arrived in Paris on Oct 23 after an overnight flight, their second straight season with an overseas game after beating the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin last year. The NFL has expanded its international slate, with games in London, Germany, Spain, Dublin and Australia ahead of the first game in Paris on Sunday.
How it unfolded
- Oct 18, 2026Metcalf caught 11 of 15 targets for 93 yards in the Steelers' 26-19 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both season highs; 12 of those targets came in the fourth quarter and overtime.
- Oct 22, 2026NFL analyst Gregg Rosenthal said on his NFL Daily podcast that rookie Germie Bernard has passed Metcalf as the Steelers' No. 1 wide receiver.
- Oct 23, 2026The Steelers arrived in Paris after an overnight flight; Metcalf said he wants to play only in the U.S. going forward, citing his dislike of traveling outside the country to play.
- Oct 24, 2026Steelers Now reported Metcalf had 30 catches for 318 yards and one touchdown through the first six weeks.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Gregg Rosenthal said Bernard is "the 1A, and DK Metcalf right now, coming off his best game of the year, as the 1B."
- Caution
- Steelers Now wrote that crowning Bernard the No. 1 receiver "might be a bit premature, especially as a rookie," and that he must keep earning looks before supplanting Metcalf entirely.
- Analysts
- NBC Sports' Kyle Dvorchak said Metcalf's downfield and boundary skills aren't being maximized by Rodgers, but the team throws often enough that he can still rack up fantasy points with ease.