Calvin Austin III shared that DK finds time to pull the young guys aside to drop gems on recovery, route discipline, and the mental toughness it takes to win those 50-50 balls week after week.

In a league where physical talent and skill often dominate the conversation, the importance of mental strength, discipline, and preparation can’t be overstated. Young players entering the NFL are often dazzled by the speed, the intensity, and the overwhelming amount of information they have to process on a daily basis. But few rookies or second-year players are fortunate enough to have veterans like DK Metcalf to lean on for guidance. For players like Calvin Austin III, Metcalf’s mentorship has become an invaluable resource—especially when it comes to the finer aspects of the game, including recovery, route discipline, and the mental toughness required to win contested battles week after week.

Metcalf’s physical presence on the field is undeniable. His 6’4″, 235-pound frame, combined with his incredible speed and explosiveness, makes him one of the most dominant wide receivers in the NFL. He’s a player who can win contested catches, burn defenders on deep routes, and turn a short slant into a game-changing play. But it’s not just his raw athleticism that has earned him respect from his peers. It’s his understanding of the game and his willingness to pass on that knowledge to the younger players on the team.

As a rookie, Calvin Austin III had already been awed by Metcalf’s on-field exploits. However, it wasn’t until the two started spending more time together off the field that Austin truly appreciated the wealth of knowledge Metcalf had to offer. For Austin, a young wide receiver with loads of potential but still a long way to go, having someone like Metcalf—who had been through the rigors of the NFL and emerged as one of its top receivers—was a game-changer.

What Austin learned from Metcalf wasn’t just about physicality. It was about the mental side of the game. It was about how to properly take care of your body, how to approach each practice and each game with a mindset that would enable consistent success, and how to develop the necessary mental toughness to outwork your opponents in critical moments.

Football is an incredibly demanding sport, both physically and mentally. It’s not just the collisions or the full-speed sprints that take their toll; it’s the wear and tear that comes with playing week after week. And for wide receivers, the challenges are particularly unique. While quarterbacks can sometimes escape heavy hits, wide receivers are often asked to go up and fight for contested balls or take hits in the open field while trying to make a play. That’s where recovery becomes a vital component of their long-term success.

Metcalf, who has been remarkably durable throughout his career, is known for his commitment to maintaining his body. According to Austin, one of the first pieces of advice Metcalf offered was on recovery—something that a lot of young players overlook. It’s easy for rookies to get caught up in the excitement of game days and forget that the physical battle doesn’t end when the final whistle blows. Recovery, Metcalf explained, is just as important as the training and preparation that come before it.

Austin shared that Metcalf frequently pulls the younger receivers aside to emphasize the importance of things like stretching, hydration, and the overall recovery process. He also pointed to the importance of sleep and rest, noting that players often underestimate the toll a football season takes on the body and mind. Metcalf would share stories of how he’s maintained his physical health through recovery techniques like massage therapy, cold tubs, and various mobility exercises. These practices, Metcalf explained, are the difference between a long career and one that’s cut short by injury or burnout.

For Austin, who is still adapting to the NFL’s grueling schedule, the insights into recovery have been a revelation. He realized that in order to perform at a high level each week, he had to prioritize taking care of his body, even when he felt the temptation to push through the soreness. By following Metcalf’s guidance on recovery, Austin found that not only was his body in better shape, but he was also able to perform at his best in key moments during games.

Another lesson Metcalf imparted to the younger players, particularly Austin, was the art of route discipline. While many young wide receivers are blessed with speed and athleticism, Metcalf understands that talent alone doesn’t make you a great wideout. The NFL is filled with fast and talented players, but the truly elite receivers are the ones who have mastered the nuances of route running.

For Austin, who had already demonstrated great burst and separation in college, learning the finer points of route discipline from a veteran like Metcalf was a turning point. Metcalf explained that the key to being consistently open in the NFL is not just about raw speed but about mastering your craft—understanding how to deceive defenders, how to break at the right moment, and how to use your body to create separation.

One of the most important aspects of route discipline Metcalf stressed to Austin was the importance of consistency. In the NFL, defenders study film, and they’ll quickly figure out a receiver’s tendencies if they aren’t careful. That’s why it’s crucial to mix up your route techniques and vary your movements to keep defenders off-balance. For example, Metcalf would talk about how he’d work on his “double move” technique—using a fake route to bait defenders into committing early, then quickly changing direction to gain separation.

But Metcalf’s advice didn’t stop with just the physical technique. He also spoke about the mental side of route running. According to Austin, Metcalf emphasized that route discipline isn’t just about running clean routes on every play; it’s about knowing when to take risks and when to stay disciplined. It’s about reading the defense and adjusting your route based on the situation. Whether it’s a third-and-long or a red-zone play, knowing how to approach each situation with the right mindset is what separates the greats from the rest.

For Austin, who is still developing his route-running skills, these insights have proven invaluable. By incorporating Metcalf’s techniques into his daily training, Austin has been able to refine his routes and become a more reliable and unpredictable target for the quarterbacks. It’s no longer just about beating defenders with pure athleticism—now, it’s about outsmarting them with precision, timing, and awareness.

Perhaps the most significant lesson Metcalf shared with Austin was the mental toughness required to succeed in the NFL. Week after week, receivers are asked to go up against physical, aggressive defenders and fight for contested catches—otherwise known as 50-50 balls. These situations can often be a test of a player’s resolve, as it’s easy to get frustrated when you’re battling cornerbacks who seem to be just as athletic and aggressive as you are.

Metcalf’s ability to win these battles consistently has been one of the cornerstones of his game. His mindset is that every contested catch is an opportunity to prove himself, and he approaches each 50-50 ball as though it’s the most important play of the game. According to Austin, Metcalf would often pull him aside after practices or games and talk about the mental aspect of these plays.

Metcalf explained that winning 50-50 balls isn’t just about physical strength or leaping ability—it’s about confidence and focus. You have to believe that the ball is yours before it even leaves the quarterback’s hands. That mental preparation gives you the edge over defenders who are equally determined to come away with the ball. The focus needed to win those battles, Metcalf said, is what separates a good wide receiver from a great one.

For Austin, who had his own fair share of battles with defenders, learning to approach contested catches with the right mindset was a game-changer. Instead of seeing 50-50 balls as a coin toss, Austin began to approach them as opportunities to assert dominance. He started practicing not just physically but mentally—visualizing the catch, staying calm under pressure, and using his body to protect the ball from defenders.

What makes Metcalf’s mentorship truly special is his willingness to invest in the development of the younger players, like Austin, even as he continues to grow his own career. As much as Metcalf has been a force on the field, his role as a mentor has become just as impactful. It’s one thing to be a great player yourself, but it’s another thing entirely to help raise the level of play around you, ensuring that the next generation of wide receivers is just as dangerous as the current one.

For Austin, having Metcalf as a mentor has been a blessing. The lessons on recovery, route discipline, and mental toughness have already paid dividends in his development, and the knowledge he’s gained from Metcalf will continue to guide him throughout his career. Austin knows that he’s just scratching the surface of his potential, but with Metcalf’s wisdom at his side, he’s more confident than ever in his ability to reach the next level.

The NFL is a league that demands constant improvement, and the best players are those who never stop learning. DK Metcalf’s ability to share his wealth of knowledge with young players like Calvin Austin III is a testament to his character, his leadership, and his commitment to the game. As Austin’s career progresses, he’ll likely carry these lessons with him, passing them down to future generations of receivers. And the legacy of DK Metcalf’s mentorship will continue to influence the NFL long after his playing days are over.