DK Metcalf
Playoffs Present Major Redemption After Fan Altercation
… Steelers Super Bowl Champion Remarks

Published
January 12, 2026
12:30 AM PST

DK Metcalf‘s season could have ended when the NFL suspended him for two games due to hitting a Lions fan — but it didn’t — and now he has an opportunity to make amends, according to a two-time Super Bowl champion!

TMZ Sports spoke with Charlie Batch, who played 11 seasons in Pittsburgh and now covers the team. He mentioned that things could have turned dire if the Steelers had lost to the Ravens and missed the playoffs.

“If for whatever reason they did not win [against Baltimore] and they lost, and they couldn’t get anything going in the passing game, there would be direct blame for him,” Batch explained. “Now he gets the chance to right the ship and obviously create his own narrative as we head into playoff football.”

Of course, the reason behind the altercation between Metcalf and the fan remains contested. The Lions supporter insists he merely called DK by his full name, while DK’s associates informed Chad Johnson that a racial slur was used.

The fan, Ryan Kennedy, has since denied ever using such language.

No matter what transpired, the NFL still penalized Metcalf significantly for his involvement in the unfortunate incident.

Without their star receiver, Pittsburgh barely made it to the playoffs, losing their week 17 game against the Browns before clinching the AFC North title with a victory over the Ravens, aided by a missed field goal in the final moments of that game.

The No. 4-seeded Steelers are optimistic that Metcalf’s return will ignite a playoff run as they face off at home against the No. 5 Houston Texans on Monday night.

Metcalf has more than double the yards of any other wide receiver on the team. He has also been productive in previous postseasons, recording five touchdowns and 451 yards across four playoff games.