The Browns' secondary will be challenged on Oct. 12 by the Steelers' two All-Pro players, WR DK Metcalf and four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
The pair are both in their first seasons with the Steelers after Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh during the offseason and Metcalf was traded to the Steelers in March. So far through four games, the pair has connected for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Nearly half of those yards came in Week 4 when Metcalf caught five passes for 126 yards. Due to the big-game ability of the pair, they have become a focal point for defenses.
"(Aaron Rodgers) is a vet," CB Denzel Ward said. "A lot of experience and he runs the show over there, and he's still a productive quarterback in this league. We're going to have to eliminate him."
The Steelers' offense has found their way to the top of the AFC North with a 3-1 record, despite decreased passing numbers from Rodgers. In the first four games of the season, Rodgers is averaging a career-low 196.5 passing yards per game. Despite Rodgers' start to the season, head coach Kevin Stefanski said Rodgers is playing at a high level currently, going beyond just what the box score says.
"Just from the arm talent, the skill that he has, a ton of respect for what he's done in his career," Stefanski said. "Playing at a high level right now. Extremely accurate, has a good feel for what they're doing. Allows his receivers, tight ends, running backs to get good yards after the catch. He's playing at a very high level."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) and Cornerback Dom Jones (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight Ends Coach Christian Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Bill Willis Coaching Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 8, 2025.
With Rodgers' talent, he can be a threat with the football, but Cleveland's defense will try to minimize that threat. The Browns have held three of the five quarterbacks they have faced this season under the 196-yard mark that Rodgers is averaging this season. Although he isn't passing the ball for a large number of yards per game, Rodgers is getting the ball out in a short amount of time.
Rodgers, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, has the quickest time to throw this season at 2.52 seconds this season. While the Browns' defense was able to get to Vikings QB Carson Wentz – the quarterback with the second-quickest time – sacking him three times, Wentz's quick throw ability beat them on the final drive.
Against the Steelers, both the secondary and defensive line are going to have to work in tandem in order to slow down Rodgers getting the ball out of his hand. If the secondary can cover Metcalf and the other Pittsburgh receivers for longer, then a window opens for the defensive line to pressure Rodgers.
Through five games, the Browns' defense has been top five in the NFL in all yardage categories and has recorded a takeaway in three consecutive games. The Browns' top priority will be Rodgers and his throwing ability. If Rodgers can get the ball to Metcalf, then the pair will punish defenses, leaving it up to the Browns to contain them during the divisional matchup.
"It's on all of us. I'm not going to go through game plan and scheme, but I think it's on the entire defense to neutralize (his quick throw ability)," Ward said.
