In March, the Steelers and Seahawks swung a blockbuster trade in which Seattle sent two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver D.K. Metcalf to Pittsburgh in exchange for a package headlined by a second-round pick. The Steelers and Metcalf hammered out a lucrative extension upon completion of the trade, a transaction that precipitated a later deal that saw the Steelers send former WR1 George Pickens to the Cowboys.
Seattle, meanwhile, will move forward with 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba and free agent signee Cooper Kupp at the top of its depth chart. In a recent interview on The Rich Eisen Show, ‘Hawks GM John Schneider indicated Smith-Njigba’s breakout 2024 campaign informed the Metcalf trade to a degree, but it was ultimately Metcalf’s desire for a new employer that carried the day (video link).
Seemingly confirming recent reports that the trade request Metcalf made shortly before the Steelers deal is not the first time the Ole Miss product asked out of Seattle, Schneider said, “DK and I had very open conversations the last couple years about his future, and what that looked like and what he wanted. … And it was apparent that he wanted to move on” (h/t Mike Masala of Sporting News).
The conversations between the long-term GM and Metcalf picked up again following this year’s scouting combine.
“And so, when we got back from the combine, we had some real, clear, direct conversations,” Schneider added. “And at that point, we decided it was probably best for both of us to move forward.”
Metcalf, 27, was entering the final year of the three-year, $72MM deal he signed in July 2022, and in light of the exploding wide receiver market, it was a given that he would soon be receiving a new contract and a significant raise. It was the Steelers who authorized a four-year, $132MM accord – thus topping Metcalf’s previous AAV by $9MM – but Schneider says finances also took a backseat to the simple fact that Metcalf wanted out.
“No, it really wasn’t [salary-related], and it was interest[ing] because it wasn’t like animosity either,” Schneider said. “It was like, he really, really wanted a fresh start. And it’s not like we went into the offseason thinking this would be a possibility, but he was just, he was pretty dug in on it.”
It seems clear that Schneider was willing to go into the 2025 season with Metcalf and Smith-Njigba as his top WR tandem and only parted ways with the former due to the player’s wishes. Initially reported to be seeking a package including a first- and third-round choice, Schneider eventually lowered his demands and settled for the second-rounder and a Day 3 pick swap. He ultimately packaged Pittsburgh’s second-round choice (No. 52 overall) with his original third-round pick (No. 82) as part of the deal to acquire No. 35 from the Titans, which he used to select South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori.
In addition to Kupp, the Seahawks signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency and added rookie wideouts Tory Horton and Ricky White on Day 3 of the draft. That group will be tasked with replacing Metcalf’s production, which amounts to a per-season average of 77/1,108/8 over the course of his six-year career.
I don’t believe Schneider. No animosity, he just didn’t want to play for the only team he’s ever known anymore?
DK is ok but to me has never met the Megatron comparison I heard a lot when drafted. He’s a long way from that but still an above average starter
It doesn’t have to be animosity and it seems pretty obvious to me. Seattle wants to run the ball. They have been a run-first team for as long as I can remember. He’s a wide receiver. He’d rather play somewhere that he can contribute and be valued. The money doesn’t have to be the only factor.
I don’t even think it’s that because Pittsburgh wants to do the same thing. People act like they haven’t lived somewhere that’s just not for them. Seattle is that for a lot of people. It rains all the time, and it’s a long plane ride to anywhere in the country outside of California when you want to get away. Like you could double my salary, and I would still think long and hard before moving out there. I had a friend move there about ten years ago, and she was back in under a year for these similar reasons.
Yep that’s why the Seattle area has grown 32 percent over last 10 years. Seattle metro area over 4 million..must be for somebody. And nobody cares if you don’t want to move here….area doesn’t need more! DK had no issues with area..it was all money.
Real fan like Hawk Tattoo said we don’t want you here. Funny how many guys still live here after their careers are done. Even if they don’t live here have a house still here
DKs wanting out started with a dislike of Geno. He could not hit him on go routes or didn’t want to. There was no love lost between the two. He could also see the writing on the wall. He was a two to Lockett and would be a two behind JSN. I don’t think money was the cause he wanted out last year. If you ever watched the team play last year DK was open many times and Geno would look his way only to pass on him and throw a much tougher throw to JSN. He would usually catch it but could have made 20 or more yards throwing to DK. Vegas is going to regret signing Geno to the big contract. He played great between the 20s. When got inside the 20s was an interception machine. Put up huge numbers until inside the 20s then was ugly.
Agree with ya. DK was feeling slighted but he was also hoping to get the new big WR salaries others were getting in his next contract. Doesn’t sound like Hawks wanted to do it. DK was great player but when he lost his temper. I’m not sure how he will handle Pittsburg situation. It was time for Geno…way too many mistakes at the wrong time.
Well, it rains more days per year in Pittsburgh than Seattle so I don’t think the rain is it either… or he just didn’t do his research.
And the winters are more brutal in Pittsburgh.
Absolutely. The AFC North in general is not very desirable if we’re looking at days of rain and snow in the average year.
Totally. He’s a Steeler now, so enjoy that high-flying passing attack!
Schneider is known to be silver tongued and for keeping it in house. Russell Wilson was rumored to wanting a trade for years but he kept the demand in house so he worked with him. Earl Thomas went public and it backfired on him. Dk wanted out, was smart and professional about it and John worked with him.
I mean Seattle before the Carroll years was one of those franchises that was an acquired taste because it’s so far out of the way. If your team is mediocre and isn’t going to win anything, which has been what has happened since he was in the league, you’re just there. It’s similar to if you were in Green Bay but even more removed from everything being up in the Northwest.
Well when he was drafted I remember DK saying (in tears) to Pete “Man, what took y’all so long?” He wanted to be in Seattle, but Pete’s been gone for awhile now, as with Russ. I don’t blame him for wanting out. I’m just mad I didn’t get to sell my DK jersey (that’s new + never worn) before he was traded haha.
So DK went to Pittsburg for better chance of winning? He had 4 playoff games since 2019 with Hawks..and actually won one of them. Pittsburgh 4 games..lost all of them. BeforePete also Hawks had a super bowl in 2005…if you have never been to a Seahawks home game you will never understand the passion of the hawk fans, and not just the local ones.