The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to commerce large receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second-round decide within the 2025 draft, based on league sources.
Why they made the transfer
The Seahawks entered the offseason intent on maintaining Metcalf on an extension that will have stored either side completely happy, however Metcalf requested a commerce final week.
The Seahawks need a bodily, run-heavy identification on offense, so that they should have drawn a line within the sand on the $30 million market fee for premium receivers. Metcalf had a yr remaining on his contract, so this was seemingly when his commerce worth can be at its highest. The Seahawks will obtain the No. 52 decide from Pittsburgh.
The Steelers, in the meantime, have had their points at receiver lately. Productive performers akin to Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool fizzled out earlier than being shipped away, and veteran acquisitions akin to Allen Robinson and Mike Williams by no means took off. They tried to accumulate San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk final offseason however couldn’t make it occur.
Metcalf has racked up at the very least 900 receiving yards in all six of his NFL seasons, together with three topping 1,000 yards. He’s averaged eight touchdowns per yr. Although not at all times a high-volume cross catcher — he topped out at 90 receptions in 2022 earlier than grabbing 66 balls every of the previous two seasons — Metcalf has the downfield, bodily skill to mesh effectively with Pittsburgh’s offense, assuming the Steelers determine one thing out at quarterback.
Steelers commerce grade: B+
The Steelers simply proved they aren’t afraid to go after it, as this transfer definitely qualifies as that.
By locking Metcalf right into a five-year, $150 million contract, the Steelers have made their largest splash at wideout, the place their monitor file of drafting and creating the place has hit a valley lately (besides George Pickens). However the mixture of Metcalf and Pickens might be a nightmare for opposing secondaries, as long as Pickens can jell with the extra confirmed wideout.
Extra than simply including a dynamic receiving risk, the DK Metcalf commerce must also give the Steelers loads of leverage and adaptability in relation to George Pickens, who is about to enter the ultimate yr of his rookie deal.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 9, 2025
Each receivers play with their footwear on fireplace. They are often fearsome when the ball is within the air and devastating after the catch; and each stretch the sector, which can assist beneath choices akin to tight finish Pat Freiermuth and receiver Calvin Austin.
The query, which figures to be answered very quickly: What occurs at quarterback?
The Steelers had blended outcomes with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields final offseason. Each are free brokers together with a hit-or-miss group that features Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones. The draft class is down this yr, too. Sitting at No. 21 within the first spherical, the Steelers seemingly should wait to see what involves them.
They received a marquee ability participant. Now, they’ve received to seek out out who’s controlling the machine, although maybe this transfer makes them a extra enticing touchdown spot for obtainable quarterbacks.
Seahawks commerce grade: B
This shortly become a transitional sort of offseason for the Seahawks, who agreed to commerce quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and launched wideout Tyler Lockett. In addition they employed offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to switch Ryan Grubb.
The Seahawks will construct round wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba and operating backs Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet, however they’ll must shore up an offensive line that’s been gifted however injury-plagued for a few years. And, after all, additionally they want a quarterback, although there’s loads of buzz round Darnold heading to the Pacific Northwest. If that doesn’t occur — or they enter the draft with out a confirmed veteran starter on the roster — the Seahawks’ plan will come into a lot larger scrutiny.
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Common supervisor John Schneider and his workers have been on a heater within the draft as of late, so the additional capital is engaging. They’re selecting at No. 18 within the first spherical and have Nos. 50 and 52 within the second together with a few third-rounders.
The Seahawks discovered themselves in a tricky spot with Metcalf’s commerce request. It’s comprehensible why they’re pivoting, but it surely’s now time to execute the imaginative and prescient.
(Picture: Jane Gershovich / Getty Photographs)