Steelers Now
One NFL insider was not happy with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s handling of wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf had an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan during the team’s 29-24 win in Week 16. However, since no flag was ever thrown, the league could not step in to eject Metcalf from the game.
ESPN insider Dan Graziano believes that doesn’t excuse Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for not stepping in to handle the situation himself.
“Let me be clear: It is a travesty that Metcalf was allowed to continue playing, and Tomlin absolutely should have benched him. Period,” Graziano posted on X.
Let me be clear: It is a travesty that Metcalf was allowed to continue playing, and Tomlin absolutely should have benched him. Period. https://t.co/cFBPVHjm92
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) December 22, 2025
Tomlin also declined to comment on the altercation after the game, claiming he didn’t see it happen.
“I heard about it, but I hadn’t seen it and I hadn’t had an opportunity to talk to DK and so I have no comment,” Tomlin said.
Either way, it wasn’t a good look for Metcalf, who will now likely receive a significant fine and maybe even a suspension from the league.
DK Metcalf appears to have an altercation with a Detroit fan pic.twitter.com/a478Zjg3tR
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 21, 2025
According to the Detroit Free Press, which tracked down the fan in the stands, Metcalf got upset after he called him by his full government name, “DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.”
However, former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson said there were other words exchanged that escalated the situation.
“I got word — obviously, I’m not condoning putting your hands on a fan or punching a fan — but he did call him a racial slur,” Johnson said on the “Nightcap” podcast. “He called him the n-word and he did call his mom a cunt. I think, with those words being exchanged and the fan saying that, I think that’s where the action occurred.”
CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said the officials couldn’t weigh on it from an officiating standpoint and that the NFL will review this altercation for potential discipline.
Metcalf finished the game with four catches for 42 yards on nine targets.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Insider Blasts Mike Tomlin For Not Benching DK Metcalf: ‘It is a Travesty’
