PITTSBURGH — The Steelers' addition of seventh-year receiver DK Metcalf along with four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers opens up opportunities for both players to work together in unique ways.

But for the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Pro Bowl receiver, working with a quarterback like Rodgers, with his 21 years of experience, gives him the opportunity to become a smarter player on and off the field.

"Just how cerebral he is," Metcalf said of how Rodgers impresses him Wednesday from Steelers minicamp practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "I like the way he views the game from a receiver's standpoint but also from a quarterback's standpoint. I think I can gain a lot of knowledge just from being around him because he's seen a lot of football. So just trying to soak up as much information as I can."

The two met for a private throwing session in March, just a couple weeks after Metcalf was traded to the Steelers for a second-round pick on March 13.

"How quickly he releases the ball," Metcalf said of how Rodgers will help him. "With me getting off the line of scrimmage fast, I think that's one thing that stands out first. Also his playmaking ability when a play breaks down — he contorts his arm a different way just to get the ball out. I think he's unique and I think it's going to help not only me but a lot of receivers and tight ends."

The meeting was Metcalf's idea because they were both in the region, and the two look forward to the opportunity to have more similar sessions before training camp opens on July 23.

"I reached out to him just to see if he was in the area," Metcalf said of how the throwing session was set up. "I wanted to throw, and he was, and we got together. We're both based out of California, so we plan on getting together for another throwing session, watching film and talking ball."

"DK's been blowing me up for a while," Rodgers said Monday of Metcalf's private throwing session. "We got to get together out west. I've gone against him a number of times. He's big, athletic, fast, got great hands, ball skills. The thing that really excites me the most is his character. I think he's a high-character guy. I was teasing him the first conversation we had — he said, 'Yes, sir,' like 10 times. I said, 'Is that because I'm 41?' He said, 'No, that's just how I talk.' I like his whole personality and his approach and the way he is on the field, his professionalism."

That professionalism also showed in how Metcalf didn't press Rodgers during the private session about his decision in free agency. While rumors floated about the mutual interest between the free-agent quarterback and Metcalf's new team, the second-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2019 saw such a line of questioning as out of bounds.

"I never asked him directly if he was coming," Metcalf said. "Just trying to give him the space to make his own decision and not try to sway him one way or another. Just trying to get to know him as a person first and then a teammate second."

Metcalf noted Rodgers' professionalism also reminded him of his former quarterback with the Seahawks — and the Steelers' starting quarterback last season — Russell Wilson.

"I would say they're similar in how they approach the game," Metcalf said. "They're very professional and they hold people accountable in a team setting. But also they're going to work their butts off when they're out here. They're going to make you come up to their level of competitiveness when they're on the grass. That's what I like about them. They're two completely different people and quarterbacks with how they play the game of football."

Another aspect of Metcalf's character that receivers coach Zach Azzanni saw play out came from Metcalf's dedication to his craft. When asked about what details of Metcalf's game he appreciated the most, Azzanni expressed appreciation for how Metcalf approaches every part of his game, from catching the ball to running his routes and even blocking in the run game.

"I saw that throughout his career," Azzanni said Tuesday. "When you come here, you need to take it up a level. DK's only been here for one practice. But when we get the pads on when Latrobe comes, he'll feel that from everyone around him, and I'm sure it will raise him even more."

While Metcalf works to take his game up a level, he knows each day with Rodgers brings them closer as teammates. And that brings them closer to being a dangerous part of the Steelers offense for opponents when the season starts.

"Just a step closer to football," Metcalf said. "We're a step closer to solidifying the team and the product we're going to put out there on the field this season. Just excited to get to work. I know it's a first look in a team setting with Aaron, but I'm excited to see what type of teammate he is with everything he brings to the table."

As Metcalf gets acquainted with Rodgers and his offensive teammates, he also has made sure to connect with his defensive teammates like third-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr. The two faced off several times over the first two practices, along with cornerback Darius Slay Jr. and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary with Mason Rudolph still leading team reps while Rodgers gets up to speed.

"Getting some good work with him," Metcalf said of facing Porter in practice. "Good work with Slay, and I talked ball with Minkah. The defense is great. Just going against them, they're a high-energy group and they talk a lot. I was joking with Calvin [Austin III] that for the first play, I couldn't hear any of the checks or the snap count from Mason because the defense was talking so much. It's refreshing to see a defense that communicates."

On one play, Porter was called for a hold on Metcalf but expressed to the official who made the call during practice that Metcalf had pushed him to create contact. Metcalf then approached Porter and explained what he did to force Porter to be called for the penalty.

"It was just me telling him I had a yard to act like I was blocking," Metcalf said. "I was showing him a different look he probably hasn't seen. I know I hadn't used that release on him when we played two years ago."

On another defensive play from Tuesday, Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass and began to return it the length of the field to simulate an interception returned for a touchdown. But much like Metcalf's highlight play when he ran down Cardinals safety Budda Baker on an interception in 2021, he took off after Fitzpatrick and eventually caught up with him on the other side of the field.

"That's just football," Metcalf said of the play. "If you see a turnover, I'm not just going to walk and let him return the ball. I'm going to go get his ass. That just shows the effort and care I have for the game. Hopefully we have 11 players with that same mentality when we step out on that field."

Setting those examples as a player is the method Metcalf wants to use right now to be a leader. Until he becomes more familiar with his teammates and the organization, he'll continue to show the detail and dedication in his effort for his teammates to aspire to match and exceed during practices.

"I'm new here," Metcalf said. "I'm just trying to get a feel for everybody's personality in the room. I'm more of a lead-by-example type of guy. I'm not a big rah-rah guy who walks up to you and says something right on the spot. But if I see something like not finishing through the end zone or after a catch, I'll pull you to the side and say something to you. I'm not going to blast you out in front of the team or anything like that. I wouldn't want to be treated like that, and that's how I treat other people."

Two of the younger receivers who could learn from Metcalf's expertise include fourth-year receiver Austin and second-year receiver Roman Wilson. Austin finished last season with a career best of 548 receiving yards and four touchdowns, while Wilson missed the season due to injury. But Metcalf sees both as uniquely talented players he's happy to work alongside as teammates and provide his own mentorship upon request.

"Those two special players have unique skill sets," Metcalf said of Austin and Wilson. "I can only help as much as they want me to. But once they come to me asking questions, I'm an open book to them. But I'm not going to force myself. Once they make the decision to come ask me questions, then I try to pour as much knowledge as I can into them. But they're great players in their own right, so I'll be asking questions, as well, about how they see the game to piggyback off what they do and just bounce ideas off each other."

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