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When the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, speculation immediately centered on an eventual reunion with Aaron Rodgers. A few months later, that reunion became reality. Rodgers and McCarthy are back together, and several of McCarthy's former assistants have also rejoined their longtime head coach. The comparisons to their Green Bay Packers teams are already widespread, with one former NFL Pro Bowler drawing particularly strong parallels. How strong? He compared the Steelers' top three wide receivers to Rodgers' former receiving corps in Green Bay.
Steve Smith Sr. evaluated the Steelers' wide receiver group on his 89 – Steve Smith Sr. YouTube channel, where he outlined the comparisons to Rodgers' former Packers targets under McCarthy.
“DK Metcalf is their Davante Adams … quick release, some passes down the middle of the field, some explosive plays,” Steve Smith said. “Michael Pittman Jr., he’s their Jordy Nelson … [Germie Bernard] gonna do things, sudden movement, create a little bit of [yards after catch.]”
Steelers WR comparisons make sense, but aren't exact
Smith's overall point is easy to understand. DK Metcalf projects as the clear No. 1 receiver, much like Adams did in Green Bay. Michael Pittman Jr. has also proven he can be a No. 1 target, but he could thrive in a role similar to the one Nelson played, as both excelled even when sharing the spotlight. Bernard has already drawn comparisons to Randall Cobb, and Smith highlighted similarities in their play styles during his breakdown. At a high level, the comparisons make sense, even if they aren't perfect one-to-one matches.
Metcalf is an elite receiver, but he isn't quite the same type of route runner Adams was. Adams separated himself with his precision and ability to create separation at an elite level. Metcalf can consistently get open, but he wins in different ways. The Pittman-Nelson comparison is compelling because of their polished route running, dependable hands, and ability to make plays in traffic. Pittman served as the Indianapolis Colts' top receiver for years before Alec Pierce's breakout season. Bernard's similarities to Cobb also continue to stand out, particularly with what they can do after the catch.
The comparisons are easy to see, but none of these receivers are exact replicas of their Packers counterparts.
Steelers wide receiver corps might be Rodgers' strongest since Green Bay
The New York Jets assembled a solid receiving corps for Rodgers in 2024, but much of that depended on the midseason addition of Adams. The Steelers, meanwhile, may have given Rodgers his best group of receivers since his final years in Green Bay in 2021 or 2022. Metcalf, Pittman, Bernard, and Roman Wilson all have the potential to flourish in McCarthy's offense. Rodgers, of course, knows that system as well as anyone after spending years mastering it.
If this truly is Rodgers' final NFL season, surrounding him with an offense that resembles those successful Packers teams certainly isn't a bad approach. He won multiple MVP awards, captured a Super Bowl, and made several deep playoff runs with a similar formula. Rodgers may no longer be the quarterback he was at his peak, but his current group of receivers is either in its prime or still ascending. If everything comes together, they could produce the kind of success that Adams, Nelson, and Cobb once helped deliver in Green Bay.
