Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

DK Metcalf Gets a Taste of the Steelers’ Defense at Training Camp, Calls It the ‘Best He’s Ever Seen’

Steelers could spring a surprise in the 2025 season with a new look roster

Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Following the sixth day of full padded practice at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ training camp, wide receiver DK Metcalf had a sit-down talk with NFL insider Ian Rapoport and Steve Smith Sr. Metcalf, who spent the first 6 seasons of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, has been witnessing firsthand what the Steelers’ defense is all about.

DK Metcalf’s High Praise for Steelers Defense

Despite playing on the offensive side of the ball, the conversation between Rapoport, Smith Sr., and Metcalf quickly turned to the Steelers’ defense when the wide receiver praised the team’s secondary unit.

Badger Bros 🤙 @BadgerFootball @_TJWatt | @nickherbig_ pic.twitter.com/m5Rbs4HSU9
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 3, 2025

Going up against the likes of Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and others in practice has been a challenge, and the Steelers’ new WR1 was happy to give them their flowers when asked whether his throwing sessions with Aaron Rodgers before he even signed with the team were helpful.

“Yes, sir. It does help. But getting those live team reps is nothing like the 11 on 11 reps with the QB-Center exchange, making sure the O line has the blocking assignments, going against that reckless defense that we got on the other side of the ball. Every play, I get to go against either JPJ (Joey Porter Jr.), Jaylen, or Slay. So, I’m always getting better in that aspect.”

The 27-year-old was also asked about how good the Steelers’ defense could be in the upcoming season, and Metcalf had nothing but high praise for the unit. He even went so far as to call it the best defense he has ever seen.

“You don’t want my opinion cuz I think they’re the best defense I’ve ever seen. Like there some dogs everywhere on the field, and I tip my hat to them cuz they come to work every day, and you know we don’t have any choice but to get better.”

DK Metcalf vs Jalen Ramsey at Steelers practice has gone viral. What do you notice?pic.twitter.com/fx1tIYkPXp
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 3, 2025

DK Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey As Teammates

Anyone who has followed the NFL for the past few years would be well aware of the history between Metcalf and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The two have had intense and physical battles during NFC West divisional games at the time when Metcalf played for the Seahawks and Ramsey for the Rams.

When asked about the situation now that both are teammates, the 2-time Pro Bowler acknowledged that both players understand they are teammates now, and have a healthy respect for one another despite their on-field battles in practice.

“We both understand that we teammates. One thing I’ve always respected about Jaylen was his competitive edge, and every time we stepped on the field, it was always, you know, I’m not going to let you win, and vice versa. But now that we teammates, first one-on-one rep, we always jump up there, shake each other’s hand, and let’s work, and then that’s it.”

“I think they’re the best defense I’ve ever seen.”

New #Steelers WR DK Metcalf talks to me and @SteveSmithSr89 about his acclimation to Pittsburgh, his relationship with Aaron Rodgers, and how good the defense he faces in practice is. pic.twitter.com/gKQYVvmxbD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 3, 2025

Steelers Defensive Strength

Under head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have generally been a defensively sound team. Recently, they concluded the long-time pending deal for linebacker T.J. Watt, who is the spearhead of the Steelers’ defense.

Along with Watt, Pittsburgh boasts of big talent with Cameron Hayward and rookie first-round draft pick Derrick Harmon making up a strong defensive line. Behind them are the linebackers, consisting of Watt himself, Alex Highsmith, and Patrick Queen, while the secondary is equally loaded with the likes of Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., and Juan Thornhill.

Under head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have been very consistent in getting to the postseason; however, they haven’t had much playoff success since the 2016 season. The 2025 offseason was a very busy one for Pittsburgh with plenty of changes on both sides of the ball. But will it be enough to challenge the other top teams in the AFC and make a run to the Super Bowl?

Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

darius slay

DK Metcalf

jalen ramsey

Joey Porter Junior

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Pittsburgh Steelers

T.J. Watt

Devavrat Kulkarni

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I am a content writer for the NFL team, and joined The Playoffs after working with Sportskeeda and NFL Analysis as an NFL writer. After starting my professional career as a French-to-English translator, working as a content writer is a new adventure for me. I started out in the sports media field for two main reasons: my love for sports in general, especially the NFL, NBA, and Tennis, as well as my passion for writing. The best part of this job is that I get to write a variety of pieces with the freedom to explore content from various angles. It also enables me to stay up to date with the sporting world, which otherwise can be difficult to do in the day-to-day grind. In a world full of chaos, sports unite and entertain like nothing else!