DK Metcalf Was Randomly the Victim of the NBA’s Block-Charge Rule vs. Chargers

Stephen Douglas | Nov 9, 2025

DK Metcalf was not called for a charge here. / @rate_the_refs

The Steelers struggled offensively against the Chargers on Sunday Night Football in Week 10. Their second-most productive drive of the first half resulted in a missed field goal. Aaron Rodgers was sacked in the end zone and threw an ugly interception and things barely improved from there.

To make matters worse, Rodgers threw a pass to DK Metcalf in the third quarter, but the wide receiver had been taken out by Derwin James Jr. The Los Angeles safety simply took a few steps up and got in Metcalf's way. The ball went sailing by as Metcalf and James went to the ground.

While it looked like illegal contact downfield to most people, NBC rules expert Terry McAulay argued that it was really actually "really tight" and explained that if James had his feet set and gave Metcalf time to adjust his route, it actually was legal.

Contact initiated by the defense 10 yards down the field is no longer a penalty, good to know pic.twitter.com/UXWlxV9tsf

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) November 10, 2025

Cris Collinsworth then jokingly asked if it was a block or a charge, but he's right. It seems like NBA rules were randomly applied to this play, but without the benefit of the NBA review center confirming he did not have his feet set, it should have been a foul.

Thank goodness this conversation has come to football.

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