Rumor No More: Seahawks Send DK Metcalf to Steelers For Day 2 Draft Pick

Continuing to go into scorched Earth mode during a transformative offseason for the franchise, after weeks of speculation, the Seattle Seahawks granted DK Metcalf’s trade request by sending him to the Steel City with a new contract in hand.

According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Seahawks have agreed in principle to deal Metcalf to the Steelers in exchange for a second-round pick. Additionally, Seattle will receive a sixth-round pick in exchange for a seventh-round pick in a pick swap to cap off the deal, while the star receiver will sign a five-year, $150 million extension with his new team once the trade becomes official on March 12.

Putting an exclamation point on one of the most chaotic weeks in franchise history, Metcalf joins quarterback Geno Smith and receiver Tyler Lockett among star players departing elsewhere as general manager John Schneider overhauls the offense from the studs. When negotiations for a contract extension broke down earlier this week, Seattle traded Smith to Las Vegas for a third-round pick, reuniting him with long-time Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, while Lockett was released as a cap casualty due to a $30 million cap hit.

After already making the decision to part ways with Lockett, Metcalf’s exit leaves a massive void on the outside for Seattle, both figuratively and literally. Since being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss, the speedy 6-4, 230-pound target has been one of the NFL’s most productive players, ranking 16th in receptions, 12th in receiving yards, and fifth in receiving touchdowns during that span while making two Pro Bowls and earning All-Pro honors in 2020.

Possessing rare sub-4.35 speed at his size, Metcalf proved to be especially prolific as a vertical threat, creating headaches for opposing cornerbacks and coordinators alike with his ability to take the top off a defense on any down. He ranked fourth in the NFL over the past six seasons with 13 touchdown receptions of 40-plus yards, including recording one of those in the Seahawks last playoff win back in 2019 at Philadelphia.

While a knee injury slowed him down during the second half of his final season with the Seahawks after a quick start, Metcalf still finished with close to 1,000 yards and five touchdowns, joining Hall of Famer Randy Moss as only the second player in NFL history to post 50 catches, 500 receiving yards, and five touchdowns in each of his first six seasons.

Earlier in the offseason, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that maximizing Metcalf’s talents ranked among the most pressing topics when interviewing candidates for their vacant offensive coordinator position, which ultimately was given to Klint Kubiak. At the NFL combine last week, he reaffirmed the receiver remained in the team’s plans as a major weapon in the new scheme.

“We want to get the ball to DK. We want to make sure that he's a focal point in our offense, for sure,” Macdonald said.

However, during the week in Indianapolis, Schneider spoke with at least three teams regarding Metcalf’s availability, with early negotiations on an extension not proceeding far, the receiver made his request to be dealt known on a visit with team brass on March 4. From that point, with his desire becoming public the following day shortly after Lockett’s release was announced, the Seahawks began fielding calls for offers and ultimately opted for the package from the Steelers receiving an additional day two pick as compensation.

As for the reasons behind Metcalf’s desire to go elsewhere, Seattle’s unwillingness to approach $30 million per year on a new contract played a central role. But various reports also stated his desire to play somewhere with warmer weather and more stability at the quarterback position, which he ironically will not get going to the Steelers, at least in the present. Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both are free agents, leaving the team in the same spot as the Seahawks without a clear starter right now.

As a result of the trade, the Seahawks will create $10 million in cap space while absorbing a $21 million dead cap hit, pushing the team north of $70 million in cap room going into the meat of the offseason.

Upon his departure, Metcalf leaves Seattle ranked seventh in receptions (438), sixth in receiving yards (6,324), and fourth in touchdown receptions (48) in franchise history. With him heading to Pittsburgh, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been cemented as the team’s No. 1 receiver after catching 100 passes and eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in 2024, while Jake Bobo and Dareke Young are currently the only other wideouts under contract, transforming the position into one of the team’s biggest needs rolling into free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.