Latest news with #Metcalf
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Premiership is there for the taking if Raiders can hold their nerve
The Warriors are without form halfback Luke Metcalf after he suffered an ACL injury. He's out until mid-2026, and his absence showed in a poor loss to the lowly Titans at home on Saturday. Penrith are coming for their spot in the four. Metcalf's loss was a bitter blow as the Warriors looked like being real contenders this season after teasing everybody with a preliminary final appearance in 2023. They last made the grand final in 2011. The Bulldogs are top-two bound but have taken the ultimate gamble with the mid-season signing of teenager Lachie Galvin, who has been tasked with steering them to the premiership after unseating Toby Sexton as halfback. As good as he may be now, or one day, that is a massive ask of an inexperienced, 19-year-old No.7. It appears the Bulldogs think this year it might be all coming up a bit early for them, and with Galvin they are investing in sustained success in future years. The thing about future years is that there are no certainties. Brisbane had the 2023 grand final won until Nathan Cleary's quarter-hour of magic gave Penrith another title. Fast-forward a year and the Broncos missed the finals, and Kevin Walters was gone. Parramatta made the grand final in 2022. Poor results since then meant coach Brad Arthur was axed midway through season 2024. And here's a list of players from their 17 that night – less than three years ago – who have departed: Clint Gutherson; Maika Sivo; Waqa Blake; Reagan Campbell-Gillard; Reed Mahoney; Shaun Lane; Isaiah Papali'i; Marate Niukore; Ryan Matterson; Nathan Brown; Jake Arthur and Oregon Kaufusi. Add Dylan Brown, who is leaving at the end of the season and is currently being left out of the side. They are now light years from the finals, let alone a grand final or a premiership. Some windows of opportunity are tiny. Minuscule even. History is littered with teams which made the grand final only to fall away over following years. Premierships are hard to win, and when you have even the slightest sniff, you have to take it – right here, right now. Just below the top four is where the real danger lurks for Canberra. That's where you find the resurgent Panthers, just three premiership points adrift of the Warriors and with their old guard of Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards and Brian To'o fit and in form. Look out. They've won seven games straight. Their premiership window has been open so long now it seems like an endless summer. The Broncos are two wins behind fourth, but Friday night's loss to the Eels exposed them. Loading Their secret in a five-match winning streak before Friday was the re-emergence of Reece Walsh, who resembled his 2023-like self after a woeful start to the year in which he averaged about 70 run metres a match over the first half-dozen rounds and routinely sent passes flying over the sideline or into the dirt. Against Parramatta, that early season Walsh made an unwelcome return, complete with passes over the sideline and the sideways running. He let a bomb bounce and conceded a try. There was one flash of brilliance for a Billy Walters try, but a team can't win a title when their fullback is headless. What coach Ricky Stuart and the front office led by Don Furner have done at Canberra is to be admired.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Premiership is there for the taking if Raiders can hold their nerve
The Warriors are without form halfback Luke Metcalf after he suffered an ACL injury. He's out until mid-2026, and his absence showed in a poor loss to the lowly Titans at home on Saturday. Penrith are coming for their spot in the four. Metcalf's loss was a bitter blow as the Warriors looked like being real contenders this season after teasing everybody with a preliminary final appearance in 2023. They last made the grand final in 2011. The Bulldogs are top-two bound but have taken the ultimate gamble with the mid-season signing of teenager Lachie Galvin, who has been tasked with steering them to the premiership after unseating Toby Sexton as halfback. As good as he may be now, or one day, that is a massive ask of an inexperienced, 19-year-old No.7. It appears the Bulldogs think this year it might be all coming up a bit early for them, and with Galvin they are investing in sustained success in future years. The thing about future years is that there are no certainties. Brisbane had the 2023 grand final won until Nathan Cleary's quarter-hour of magic gave Penrith another title. Fast-forward a year and the Broncos missed the finals, and Kevin Walters was gone. Parramatta made the grand final in 2022. Poor results since then meant coach Brad Arthur was axed midway through season 2024. And here's a list of players from their 17 that night – less than three years ago – who have departed: Clint Gutherson; Maika Sivo; Waqa Blake; Reagan Campbell-Gillard; Reed Mahoney; Shaun Lane; Isaiah Papali'i; Marate Niukore; Ryan Matterson; Nathan Brown; Jake Arthur and Oregon Kaufusi. Add Dylan Brown, who is leaving at the end of the season and is currently being left out of the side. They are now light years from the finals, let alone a grand final or a premiership. Some windows of opportunity are tiny. Minuscule even. History is littered with teams which made the grand final only to fall away over following years. Premierships are hard to win, and when you have even the slightest sniff, you have to take it – right here, right now. Just below the top four is where the real danger lurks for Canberra. That's where you find the resurgent Panthers, just three premiership points adrift of the Warriors and with their old guard of Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards and Brian To'o fit and in form. Look out. They've won seven games straight. Their premiership window has been open so long now it seems like an endless summer. The Broncos are two wins behind fourth, but Friday night's loss to the Eels exposed them. Loading Their secret in a five-match winning streak before Friday was the re-emergence of Reece Walsh, who resembled his 2023-like self after a woeful start to the year in which he averaged about 70 run metres a match over the first half-dozen rounds and routinely sent passes flying over the sideline or into the dirt. Against Parramatta, that early season Walsh made an unwelcome return, complete with passes over the sideline and the sideways running. He let a bomb bounce and conceded a try. There was one flash of brilliance for a Billy Walters try, but a team can't win a title when their fullback is headless. What coach Ricky Stuart and the front office led by Don Furner have done at Canberra is to be admired.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Steelers' DK Metcalf Puts NFL on Notice With Bold Warning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed into the 2025 NFL season with high expectations and a lot of questions that need to be answered. With Aaron Rodgers leading the way, the media has been all over the Steelers. Can the future Hall of Fame quarterback lead the team to a championship run in what he has said will be his final NFL season? Outside of the move to sign Rodgers, Pittsburgh went out and acquired superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks. He was also signed to a massive extension. DK Metcalf #4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 10, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. DK Metcalf #4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 10, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images Rodgers and Metcalf were not the only big moves the Steelers made this offseason. Both Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith were acquired in a huge trade with the Miami Dolphins. T.J. Watt was also signed to a very lucrative extension. Read more: Vikings' Justin Jefferson Makes His Feelings Known About JJ McCarthy Mike Tomlin and the front office are all-in on gunning for a Super Bowl. Many don't believe in their chances to make that happen, but Pittsburgh is ready to prove its doubters wrong Speaking of that mentality, Metcalf has spoken out and put the NFL on notice. While chatting with Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports, Metcalf sent a very bold warning to the rest of the league. "I think we're going to shock a lot of people," Metcalf said. "I know there are questions about, 'Can we figure it all out?' I mean, we're at a destination [for training camp], so we have no choice but to learn each other, figure each other out. We have no choice but to get better on offense versus defense every day." Read more: Cleveland Browns May Have Their Next Baker Mayfield Last season with the Seahawks, Metcalf caught 66 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns. He'll be asked to take that production up a notch as Rodgers' No. 1 target with Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Roman Wilson behind him on the depth chart. Giving up the value and contract that the Steelers opted to part with and hand out to get Metcalf, he's expected to perform at a superstar level week in and week out. He has now sent out a very bold message to the rest of the NFL. Metcalf simply needs to back up his warning on the field each and every game. For more Pittsburgh Steelers and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf are Steelers training camp suitemates
Surprise, surprise. Metcalf has a suite mate. And one who comes with big benefits. The knock came from Aaron Rodgers. "He was like, 'Aw man, I was hoping it was you,'" Metcalf said. Of course, it is no mere coincidence that the legendary quarterback and big-play receiver are sharing a suite, their dorm rooms separated by a bathroom. The arrangement has Mike Tomlin's fingerprints all over it. The crafty Steelers coach has been known to sometimes assign stalls in the locker room while seeking to position new players near certain personalities, for one reason or another. So, why not in this case? That Rodgers and Metcalf will be in such close proximity during training camp - and this camp comes with the need for some serious bonding with several prominent new faces in tow - comes with the potential for all sorts of intangible benefits. "We can talk about a lot of stuff that we see the same on the field, conversations that we might not get to talk about in the meeting room," Metcalf said. "He gets to listen to a lot of my music tastes or hear me yell at the video game sometimes. But it will be fun having him across the hall." Aaron Rodgers went to Mike Tomlin's backyard cookout. There was chemistry (and good food) They will expedite the curve of getting to know each other, that's for sure. Metcalf, the seventh-year veteran obtained in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, enjoys playing video games in his spare time. Rodgers caught wind of that on Wednesday as Metcalf played an NCAA-themed game on his console. "He walked in my room yesterday and said, 'Oh, you're gaming!'" Metcalf said. "And then he just walked out." Rodgers, 41, has had a healthy share of roommates and suitemates during an NFL career that began 21 years ago in the Green Bay Packers camp at St. Norbert's College. Metcalf, it seems, fits the profile for an ideal suitemate in his mind for reasons that go beyond strengthening the connection with a go-to target. "I was here Tuesday night and not many other guys were here other than the rookies, and when I got in the room and realized we were sharing something, I was secretly hoping it wasn't a big lineman or something," Rodgers said. "Maybe somebody who cared about their hygiene a little bit. So, when I walked in, I saw a standard suitcase. I said, 'Oh, I think it's going to be good. This is probably DK.'" Training camp clearly provides the setting to develop chemistry, and the Steelers' old-school setup - Pittsburgh is one of the few NFL teams that still goes away to a college campus for camp, at St. Vincent's College for the 58th year - amplifies that theme. In the case of Rodgers and Metcalf, though, this chemistry was launched months ago. In March, while Rodgers contemplated his future, Metcalf flew to Los Angeles and worked out with the quarterback at UCLA. It added fuel to the speculation that Rodgers would ultimately sign with the laid a foundation for the current prospects. "We talked about a lot of football stuff," Rodgers said. "We FaceTime, we texted during the offseason after minicamp. So, we've got a good relationship. It's going to just keep on growing." Metcalf: "I'm going to try to soak up as much knowledge as I can. I'm going to listen to everything. Even the criticisms he has; I'm going to be really open, searching for those answers from him. He's had great receivers in the past. I'm just trying to be among them." There is no denying that the bond that Metcalf and Rodgers develop as a go-to connection will be essential to the best-case scenario for the Steelers offense. Yet it's also evident that Rodgers, a newcomer assuming the ultimate leadership position for an established team, has made it a priority to quickly try developing bonds throughout the team. Will Howard, the rookie quarterback, said that he's been struck by Rodgers' tendency to mingle with a wide range of players at every position. That might address one of the questions floated about Rodgers as he went through the process of committing to play this season. Some wondered whether the time he did not spend with the team during the offseason would be a hindrance. Since signing just before the team's mandatory minicamp in June, though, Rodgers has tried to make up for lost time. In the window before training camp, he hosted skill-positioned players for workouts in Malibu, Calif., where he has a home. Steelers' star pass rusher T.J. Watt got his megadeal. Now comes the hard part Also, on the day he signed his one-year contract in June, Rodgers attended a cookout at Tomlin's house and spent several hours mingling with members of the coaching staff. The next day, he went to a cookout that veteran defensive end Cam Heyward hosted at his house for players. And the day after that, Rodgers showed up at Heyward's charity golf tournament. The effort to mesh with his new team was surely noticed. "I know it wasn't on everybody's time frame for when things were supposed to happen, but I can only speak to the man I met," Heyward told USA TODAY Sports. "When a guy comes to my golf outing or comes to my house and interacts with my family, with me and my teammates, that's all I can ask for. I think that's a good start." How it ends remains to be seen for a team hoping to become a legitimate contender. Yet Rodgers seems to be all-in for the bonding - and his new suitemate can vouch for that. Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@ or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell On Bluesky:
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Brotherhood born in bathroom: Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf's hilarious bond is more than just QB-WR duo at Steelers training camp
Rodgers and Metcalf begin Steelers bond with a shared toilet at training camp (Image via : Getty Images) The Pittsburgh Steelers are banking on the chemistry between two of their biggest offseason additions: quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf. Their connection could define the success of the 2025 season, and surprisingly, it's already off to a strong (and hilarious) start thanks to a shared bathroom at training camp. Dorm room flush sparks unexpected bond between Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers and WR DK Metcalf The Steelers are holding training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where players live in college-style dorms. Rodgers and Metcalf ended up in adjacent rooms, meaning they also share a bathroom. It didn't take long for the setup to create a memorable moment. According to Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein, Metcalf recalled a conversation with Rodgers about the bathroom situation: 'The toilet is super loud,' he said. Rodgers responded with a simple rule: 'At night, if we got to piss, just don't flush the toilet.' Metcalf agreed. But around 9:30 p.m., nature called. Before flushing, Metcalf texted Rodgers: 'You asleep yet?' Rodgers replied he wasn't. Metcalf gave the heads-up—'I'm about to flush the toilet'—and did just that. It's a funny anecdote, but it speaks volumes about their early chemistry. Even in small, personal moments, the two are communicating, syncing, and building trust, something every quarterback-receiver duo needs. Rodgers-Metcalf connection could be X-Factor in Steelers' 2025 NFL campaign The Steelers didn't just toss Rodgers and Metcalf into adjacent rooms by chance. The front office knows how crucial this pairing will be. Rodgers, a four-time MVP, brings experience, poise, and leadership. Metcalf, with his elite speed and physicality, is a game-changer. Building timing, trust, and communication off the field can pay dividends when it matters most. Dorm-room dynamics might seem minor, but they reflect how Rodgers and Metcalf are already aligning as teammates and maybe as leaders. FAQs Are Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf roommates at Steelers training camp? Not exactly. Rodgers and Metcalf are in separate dorm rooms at Saint Vincent College but share a connecting bathroom, which has led to some amusing and human moments early in their Steelers journey. Why did the Steelers pair Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf together during camp? The Steelers intentionally paired Rodgers and Metcalf closely to accelerate their chemistry. As the team's new quarterback and top wideout, building off-field trust is key to success on the field. How important is the Rodgers-Metcalf connection to the Steelers' 2025 NFL season ? Extremely important. The Steelers' offense is being rebuilt around this duo, and their ability to sync up quickly could determine the team's playoff chances this season. Also Read: Brock Purdy's baby news leaked without consent—Did his 49ers teammate cross the line? Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf's bond could shape Steelers' season As the 2025 NFL season approaches, Pittsburgh's hopes rest on more than just talent. They're counting on connection, understanding, and moments, no matter how unusual, that bring players together. And in this case, a loud toilet may have flushed away any early awkwardness between the Steelers' new star duo. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
