CBS Sports just dropped their NFL "triplets" rankings, and buckle up, because the Pittsburgh Steelers' core offensive group of Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren, and DK Metcalf got absolutely torched, landing at a dismal 27th out of 32 teams. Can you even believe it? Analysts ranked every team's quarterback, running back, and top pass catcher, and the Steelers are basically at the bottom of the barrel.
Rodgers Is Playing Too Safe, And Everyone's Noticing
The panel of CBS analysts didn't pull any punches when talking about Aaron Rodgers. Jared Dubin straight up called out Rodgers for playing "extremely conservative football" last season, saying he "refused to get hit" and spent all year "firing short, quick passes." Like, seriously? This is the guy who used to throw dimes downfield, right? But last season, his average depth of target was a pathetic 6.37 yards. That's one of the lowest marks of his entire career, and it's got people around the league worried about the soon-to-be 43-year-old's ability to even push the ball vertically anymore. If he's not taking shots, what kind of offense are they even running?Metcalf's Fit Is A Disaster, And Warren's Role Is Still Unclear
Then there's DK Metcalf, who, let's be real, is an absolute beast when he's got the right QB. But the CBS analysts are saying he "isn't the best fit with Rodgers' style of play." No kidding! If Rodgers is only throwing short, how's Metcalf supposed to do what he does best and just torch defensive backs deep? Metcalf's numbers reflect it, too: he posted the second-fewest yards per game of his career last year. That's a huge problem for a guy who should be their top weapon. On top of that, Jaylen Warren is gonna split reps with Dowdle, even though Warren is "the more versatile player." So, you've got a conservative QB, a star WR misused, and a running back committee. It sounds like a mess, honestly. This whole situation for the Steelers is wild, especially since they've brought in an almost entirely new coaching staff and ten new draft picks. They're trying to change the "feel" of the team, but if the core offensive trio is this bad, how much difference can new faces make? The Cincinnati Bengals snagged the top spot in these rankings, and even the Baltimore Ravens cracked the top 5 at fourth, showing the AFC North is absolutely stacked at the top. Pittsburgh's offense is supposed to "take a step forward" in 2026 under McCarthy, who supposedly has a track record of producing "top-flight NFL offenses." Well, it's gonna be on Rodgers, Metcalf, and Warren to actually prove they can be a quality offensive trio this season. Otherwise, it's gonna be a long, rough year for Pittsburgh. Can they actually turn it around with these three leading the charge? We'll see.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.