A love for the game: Steelers fans will get their long-awaited first look at receiver DK Metcalf on Sunday when the Steelers take on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, and he can’t wait for it.

Metcalf said he has no concerns about being able to come out and start fast despite not playing in the preseason and he is just looking forward to it.

“I’m very eager because I haven’t played football since January,” said Metcalf. “Another reason why I’m ready to get out there on the field, but also just to see all my new teammates so they can get used to me on Sundays, on game days and vice versa. So just excited all around.”

Metcalf, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and tight end Jonnu Smith are all newcomers to the team this year who didn’t play in the preseason, but going against the Steelers defense daily has them ready to go for Week 1.

“Going against this defense will definitely prepare you for that,” said Metcalf. “But also making sure we’re in football shape out there. Taking those reps seriously at practice, always finishing in the end zone, finishing the rep, and then using those as our game reps.”

His relationship with Rodgers began to develop the moment he arrived in Pittsburgh, and his goal is to deliver for him every time the ball comes his way.

“Playing with a Gold Jacket, Hall of Famer quarterback of his caliber, I’ve got to catch up to speed to him because he’s seen a lot of ball,” said Metcalf. “I know I’m a hard worker, and vice versa on his end. I’m just ready to put a product on the field”

Metcalf’s rapport with Rodgers is one offensive coordinator Arthur Smith doesn’t have to worry about, as the two have spent plenty of time building that connection over the last few months.

“Our signaling, the way we see the game,” said Metcalf of how it works for them. “Starting to get a feel for what he’s going to do at the line of scrimmage, if he’s going to make a check or not. And then just the type of throws that he makes in certain coverages.”

When Metcalf was acquired by the Steelers in March from the Seattle Seahawks, he didn’t come in with any preconceived notions of what things were going to be like.

He just came to do what he loves most.

And that is playing football.

“I’m just happy to play football,” said Metcalf. “Just being here in this organization who has won six Super Bowls. Just trying to live up to the expectations that they’ve already set here and the standard that they have here.”

That standard is something Metcalf shouldn’t have a problem living up to.

In six seasons, he has appeared in 97 games, starting 93 of them, and has 438 receptions for 6,324 yards, a 14.4-yard average, and 48 touchdowns, which rank eighth-most among active players in the NFL. He has three touchdowns longer than 70 yards, including a career long 84-yard touchdown.

Metcalf has 15 100-yard games, including one against the Steelers in 2023, and a career-high 177 yards receiving against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. He also has two 100-yard receiving games in the postseason. In addition, he has three 1,000-yard seasons and has 13 catches of 50 yards or more in his career, which ranks seventh among active receivers..

Metcalf was a second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection in 2020 and a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2020 and 2023.

When asked if he felt like he had to prove something to the NFL after being traded, he quickly made it clear that wasn’t the case.

“I ain’t got nothing to prove to nobody,” said Metcalf. “I just like playing football. That’s it.”