Wide receiver DK Metcalf’s trade request this offseason came as a surprise to the general public. A new report suggests that to the Seattle Seahawks, it was nothing new.
Metcalf had requested trades from the Seahawks “multiple times” in previous offseasons, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. Those requests never became public, and the organization navigated them internally.
The report states that the Seahawks had not intended to trade Metcalf at the start of the offseason. However, the public trade request and Metcalf’s need for a new contract forced their hand.
This offers some context for why the Seahawks traded Metcalf as quickly as they did. First, he had been entering the final year of a rookie contract extension. The Seahawks likely were not optimistic about signing him to a new deal when the wide receiver had signaled on multiple occasions that he wanted out.
In addition, Metcalf wanted a trade to a contender despite Seattle going 10-7 in 2024, but that concern probably existed long before the previous season even started.
Ultimately, Metcalf was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension. The Seahawks landed the 52nd overall pick in this year’s draft as part of the trade.
The Steelers will be relying on Metcalf to give their offense a much-needed downfield threat. The 27-year-old wide receiver has three 1,000-yard seasons to his name with Seattle, and has 48 career touchdown receptions in 97 games.
