Davante Adams compared to DK Metcalf in Steve Smith Sr.’s Steelers analysis

NFL legend Steve Smith Sr. names Davante Adams in Steelers-Packers comparison

On 19 July 2026, Steve Smith Sr. used his 89 podcast to compare the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense to the Green Bay Packers’ past systems-and he put Davante Adams in the same sentence as DK Metcalf.

Smith called Metcalf “their Davante Adams,” praising the Seattle receiver’s quick release, mid-field throws, and explosive plays. The comparison landed in a broader discussion about how Mike McCarthy’s offense in Pittsburgh now carries a Green Bay flavor since Aaron Rodgers joined the Steelers as a free agent in 2026.

What Smith said about Davante Adams

Smith opened the segment by recalling Adams’ early days in Green Bay. “Remember when Davante Adams first got there? It was like, this kid can really move,” he said. He then pivoted to Metcalf, calling him the Steelers’ version of Adams-fast off the line, capable of beating press coverage, and a threat to rip off chunk yardage.

The 89 host also tagged Michael Pittman Jr. as the Jordy Nelson role in Pittsburgh, but Adams’ name anchored the comparison. The segment ran on the same day Rodgers and McCarthy reunited in Pittsburgh, giving the Packers’ offensive identity a new home in the Steel City.

Why the Adams-Metcalf link matters for Pittsburgh

Smith’s remarks aren’t just color commentary. They signal how Rodgers’ arrival is reshaping the Steelers’ passing game around speed and precision routes. Metcalf’s 6-4, 215-pound frame and 4.33-second 40 time mirror traits Adams displayed during his Packers tenure, when he became Rodgers’ top target.

Steelers fans watching training camp will look for Metcalf to fill the Adams-sized void left by George Pickens’ departure. If Metcalf replicates Adams’ production-1,000-plus yards and double-digit scores-it could validate McCarthy’s decision to import the Packers’ scheme wholesale.

What comes next for the Steelers’ offense

The Steelers open training camp on 25 July 2026 at Saint Vincent College. Rodgers, now 43, will need to lean on Metcalf and Pittman Jr. while rookie Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard round out the rotation.

Smith’s podcast dropped the same week Rodgers signed a one-year deal worth up to $18 million. If the offense clicks early, the Adams-Metcalf parallel could become the defining storyline of Pittsburgh’s 2026 season.