D.K. Metcalf

Latest On D.K. Metcalf

June 25th, 2022 at 5:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

The D.K. Metcalf storyline remains the most important one for the Seahawks during this offseason. In a breakdown of the situation as things currently stand, ESPN’s Brady Henderson writes that an extension being signed in the near future “hardly seems like a slam dunk.”

The Seahawks have stated on a number of occasions that they intend to come to an agreement on a long-term deal with the 24-year-old wideout. Metcalf himself has likewise expressed a desire and expectation to remain in Seattle, despite the departures of Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner this offseason.

The other main factor in negotiations, of course, is the massive spike in the receiver market which has taken place in recent months. Among the beneficiaries of that trend is A.J. Brown, Metcalf’s former college teammate. The pair also share an agent, something which could work against the Seahawks during contract talks. Henderson reports that Tory Dandy, the player rep in question, could be “more motivated to top Brown’s deal [with a Metcalf extension] than he would be if another agent negotiated it,” citing a poll of other agents.

Brown signed a four-year, $100MM extension with the Eagles after his draft-day trade to Philadelphia. The aforementioned agents estimate a range of outcomes in Metcalf talks between a contract very similar in length and value on one hand, and a breakdown in negotiations requiring a trade as the ultimate outcome on the other. Seattle received calls about Metcalf’s availability in the build-up to the draft, but maintained that they intended to keep him, even at the risk of a free agent departure next offseason.

The fact that a trade never materialized opened the door to negotiations continuing, but Metcalf’s unexcused absence from minicamp was an unexpected turn of events from Seattle’s perspective. Still, Henderson reports that head coach Pete Carroll remains “no less optimistic about getting a deal done” than he was during OTAs. As training camp draws nearer, the progress made on extension talks will dictate how much – if at all – the team will need to consider its trade options with one of its top players.

Latest On Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf, CB Competition

June 19th, 2022 at 6:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Seahawks have seen multiple franchise pillars depart this offseason, but they have maintained an optimistic tone with respect to keeping one of their young stars. Still, the recent actions of D.K. Metcalf have caused a stir in the organization.

The 24-year-old made headlines with his unexcused absence from Seattle’s minicamp. That decision “surprised the team some,” according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Metcalf had been present for a portion of the voluntary offseason program, which could explain why members of the team were caught off guard by the move to skip mandatory practice last week.

Metcalf is among the numerous wideouts from the 2019 draft class who are in line for second contracts, something which is taking place within the context of a skyrocketing WR market. Head coach Pete Carroll provided an update on contract talks, saying that things are still “semi-quiet” right now, but that negotiations could intensify in the coming weeks. Condotta, likewise, states that “the drama [surrounding Metcalf] may linger all summer but it should end by fall.”

While the Metcalf situation is front and center right now in Seattle, the offseason has also led to speculation about the team’s cornerback situation. As Condotta’s colleague Adam Jude writes, there appears to be a competition along the outside which is “wide open.” He notes that Sidney Jones has been practicing with the starters, which should come as little surprise given that he started 11 of 16 contests last year. However, Jude adds that one, if not both of rookies Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen could take on starting roles this season, given their performances in practice, as the team looks for a D.J. Reed replacement.

Bryant and Woolen won’t have the chance to push for a starting spot until training camp in July. By that time, the Seahawks may have already taken care of their most pressing financial issue.

D.K. Metcalf Absent From Seahawks Minicamp

June 12th, 2022 at 7:37am CST by Sam Robinson

Jun. 12: In recent remarks to reporters, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, Carroll confirmed that “there have been conversations” between the team and Metcalf on a new contract (video link). However, he also classified the negotiations as “semi-quiet” at this time, adding that the next few weeks before the start of training camp will be crucial to this process.

Jun. 7: D.K. Metcalf is rehabbing from offseason foot surgery, but the fourth-year Seahawks receiver will continue to do so on his own. Metcalf is not at Seahawks minicamp, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The Seahawks were scheduled to convene for their mandatory offseason sessions next week but are instead holding it this week.

Unlike skipping OTAs, this can be considered a holdout. Players can be fined more than $90K for missing all of minicamp, though teams can also excuse absences. This absence is not excused, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. While that money is not especially significant for a player on the cusp of a monster extension, Metcalf’s absence certainly is notable given his current situation.

The 24-year-old wideout was not linked to missing even OTAs this offseason, differing from a few of his receiver peers, and even showed up for some. A minicamp absence changes the equation a bit.

Metcalf has said he wants to stay in Seattle and expects to. Pete Carroll expects a resolution, though the 13th-year Seahawks HC said a deal will take some time. Contract talks have taken place, according to Rapoport, who adds Metcalf is rehabbing his injury in Los Angeles. Metcalf is set to make $3.99MM in base salary this season. Like the other lot of extension-seeking wideouts from the 2019 draft, Metcalf is due for free agency in 2023, with fifth-year options only present in first-rounders’ deals.

The Seahawks have a big decision to make with Metcalf, who has become an upper-echelon receiver despite pre-draft doubts that dropped him to No. 64 overall. Seattle may lean harder toward a run-oriented offense post-Russell Wilson, and although moving the perennial Pro Bowl quarterback’s salary off the books (beyond a considerable 2022 dead-money hit) opens some space for the Seahawks to work salary-wise, the new wide receiver market could push Metcalf’s asking price beyond $25MM per year. Former Ole Miss teammate A.J. Brown received a $25MM-AAV deal from the Eagles but needed a trade to get there. GM John Schneider mentioned the challenges of the new receiver market, and those comments came before the Brown extension.

Metcalf generated trade calls this offseason and was linked to the Jets, who were linked to many high-end wideouts before opting to draft Garrett Wilson 10th overall. Even as interest emerged, Metcalf was linked to a Seahawks extension. The Seahawks have done major extensions during camp, re-upping the likes of Wilson (2015), Bobby Wagner (2015, 2019) and Jamal Adams (2021) in that window. Metcalf could be next, but if he misses all of minicamp, trade rumblings could resurface.

Seattle has already jettisoned Wilson and Bobby Wagner this offseason. Metcalf represents a cornerstone-type player. He made the Pro Bowl in 2020, a 1,303-yard season, and played hurt last year. Metcalf’s numbers suffered due to the injuries sustained by he and Wilson; he finished with just 967 yards in 17 games. Brown is also a one-time Pro Bowler. Although Brown has moved past the extension-seeking glut in which his peers reside, Metcalf still joins a few others — Deebo Samuel, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson — as high-profile receivers entering contract years. How many will be extended profiles as one of the offseason’s top remaining storylines.

Latest on Metcalf, Seahawks

May 6th, 2022 at 8:46pm CST by Ely Allen

In the weeks leading up to the draft, chatter was heard that Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf may be available for a price. After trading away quarterback Russell Wilson, many began to assume that the Seahawks were in sell-mode. While Seattle hasn’t looked to actively move the former second-rounder, they have fielded calls regarding a potential trade. It was reported in the build-up to the draft that the Jets were willing to part ways with the 10th overall pick, though nothing materialized on that front.

In a radio interview, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN, head coach Pete Carroll spoke on the situation. “We want him to be here. He wants to be here,” Carroll said. “We’ll figure it out. It’ll just take us some time, but we’ll get it done.”

This is the second extremely encouraging statement made this week hinting that Metcalf will return to Seattle, after Metcalf commented recently saying, “At the end of the day, once you sit down and make a grown-man decision, yeah, I want to be in Seattle.”

With Metcalf looking to remain a Seahawk, he could be in line for a similar deal to the one signed by A.J. Brown, his former Ole Miss teammate, with whom he shares an agent.

To accommodate such a lucrative extension, the Seahawks could use some of the cap relief they will be seeing next month. Given that Carlos Dunlap was released with a post-June 1 designation, the team will gain just over $5MM in space after that date, which should make a deal feasible from a financial perspective, provided all parties still wish to get a deal done at that time. Both Carroll and Metcalf’s remarks point to that being a strong possibility.

D.K. Metcalf Expects To Re-Sign With Seahawks

May 4th, 2022 at 2:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Seahawks’ roster has seen plenty of turnover this offseason, but one player they wish to keep for the foreseeable future is D.K. Metcalf. Earlier this week, the wideout reiterated his desire to get a long-term deal done with Seattle.

“I will say we are going to get something done” the 24-year-old said on the Club Shay Shay Podcast with Shannon Sharpe, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “I think I’m going to be in Seattle for the next coming years, yes sir.”

Those comments mirror the sentiment Metcalf expressed in January, knowing that he would be eligible for a new contract starting this offseason. Likewise, the team has publicly expressed their desire to keep him in place as they transition away from the Russell Wilson era on offense. Head coach Pete Carroll – who has made his intentions of keeping the Ole Miss alum clear – repeated over the weekend that he is optimistic a new contract will be worked out, and that both parties are on “a great wavelength to move forward”.

While Seattle hasn’t looked to actively move the former second-rounder, they have fielded calls regarding a potential trade. It was reported in the build-up to the draft that the Jets were willing to part ways with the 10th overall pick, though nothing materialized on that front. With Metcalf still a Seahawk, Condotta notes that he could be in line for a similar deal to the one signed by A.J. Brown, with whom he shares an agent.

To accommodate such a lucrative extension, the Seahawks could use some of the cap relief they will be seeing next month. Given that Carlos Dunlap was released with a post-June 1 designation, the team will gain just over $5MM in space after that date, which should make a deal feasible from a financial perspective, provided all parties still wish to get one done at that time. Metcalf’s remarks point to that being a strong possibility.

“At the end of the day once you sit down and make a grown-man decision, yeah, I want to be in Seattle.”

WR Rumors: Metcalf, Brown, Hamler, Higgins

April 27th, 2022 at 7:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Deebo Samuel trade winds continue to blow, the Seahawks‘ situation with D.K. Metcalf appears calm. The fourth-year wideout is not expected to be traded, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler noting “strong indications” point to Metcalf staying put. Prior to Samuel’s trade request, it was Metcalf being linked to the Jets. The receiving-chasing team spoke with the Seahawks about Metcalf, but that conversation did not progress too far. The Jets might be willing to trade the No. 10 overall pick for Metcalf, who was 2019’s No. 64 choice, but that might still not be enough for the Seahawks. Metcalf has not yet revealed he will skip offseason work, putting this saga on steadier terrain than the other notable negotiations between fourth-year wideouts and their respective teams.

Here is the latest from the receiver scene:

Continuing to paint a picture of a long-term A.J. Brown–Titans partnership, Fowler adds the fourth-year Tennessee wideout has been in touch with the coaching staff this offseason and that the sides’ relationship is fine. Mike Vrabel and Jon Robinson have said they want Brown in the fold long term. The Samuel and Metcalf situations have produced a few more early departure alerts than the ones involving Brown and Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin.
Suffering an ACL tear in late September, K.J. Hamler is back at work. The third-year Broncos wideout is running routes with new quarterback Russell Wilson, and GM George Paton called Hamler “well ahead of schedule” in his rehab. The Broncos managed to hang onto their top four receivers this offseason, despite parting with three players and five picks for Wilson, and Hamler has shown flashes in 16 career games. The recently extended Tim Patrick has effectively leapfrogged the Penn State product on Denver’s depth chart, however, leaving the 2020 second-rounder as an intriguing wild card as the team begins its Wilson era.
The shoulder surgery Tee Higgins underwent will shelve him for the entirety of the Bengals‘ offseason program, Zac Taylor said (via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby). The third-year receiver went under the knife to repair his left shoulder in March. This injury caused Higgins to miss two early-season games last year, but the Clemson product returned to make a big impact on Cincinnati’s Super Bowl LVI road.
Shifting to the draft, Georgia wideout George Pickens has emerged as a polarizing prospect. Some teams have the SEC-produced talent off their board altogether, citing character concerns, via SI.com’s Albert Breer. Others, however, have done extensive work on him. Pickens said the Cardinals, Chiefs and Packers have been the teams who have come in contact with him most, Fowler notes. Arizona and Kansas City have been linked to first-round wideouts, with the Chiefs connected to a Round 1 trade-up, while the Packers have famously not taken a first-round receiver since Javon Walker in 2002. Although the 6-foot-3 wideout referred to himself as the draft’s best wideout, he views his likely draft slot in the 25-45 range. Pickens, who posted 1,240 yards and 14 touchdowns between his freshman and sophomore seasons, is coming off a slate he largely missed due to a March 2021 ACL tear.

Jets Willing To Trade No. 10 Pick For D.K. Metcalf?

April 26th, 2022 at 9:01am CST by Adam La Rose

As one of the teams currently holding not one, but two, top-10 picks in this week’s draft, the Jets are at the heart of the intrigue surrounding Day 1. They have also been aggressive in trying to add to their receiving corps, to no avail so far. The possibility could still exist, though, for them to acquire one of the big-name wideouts they have previously been linked to.

According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, Jets general manager Joe Douglas remains open to the thought of using the 10th overall pick to make a sizeable trade. It has already been reported that the team is “all-in” on acquiring Deebo Samuel and that their second Day 1 selection is on the table to do so.

As Pauline reports, however, the same is true with regards to D.K. Metcalf. “If Douglas could pry [Metcalf] from the Seattle Seahawks with the 10th pick”, Pauline writes, “he would make that move”. The Jets were named as one of the teams calling Seattle about the 24-year-old’s availability earlier this month. Similar to the 49ers when asked about Samuel, however, the Seahawks have maintained that they are not looking to trade him, prioritizing an extension instead.

New York already made a significant push – in terms of both draft capital to facilitate a trade, and financial commitment on a long-term deal – to try and land Tyreek Hill when it became known he would be on his way out of Kansas City. If they come up short on landing Samuel, they should still be well in range of most, if not all, of this year’s top receiving prospects. Included among those is Jameson Williams, whom the Jets have shown interest in; assuming he recovers from a torn ACL, he has the potential to provide a similar skillset to what Metcalf offers.

Chiefs Unlikely To Trade For Samuel, Other Top WRs

April 21st, 2022 at 10:01am CST by Adam La Rose

In the aftermath of Deebo Samuel‘s trade request, attention has turned to which teams could make the most sense as potential destinations. Given the state of their wide receiver room, the Chiefs have been named as a team which would, presumably, be interested in adding him. As noted by NFL Network’s Jeffri Chadiha, however, such a move doesn’t appear to be forthcoming (Twitter link).

He reports that a trade for not only Samuel, but other top young wideouts like A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and Terry McLaurin “isn’t likely”. Brown and McLaurin are expected to skip the voluntary portions of their team’s offseason programs, leading to speculation they too could be on the move. Chadiha has been told, however, that those options “are probably all long shots at this point”.

The Chiefs traded away Tyreek Hill after they couldn’t reach an agreement regarding a new contract. They have since made two veteran additions in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but many expect more to come. Currently listed as having more than $18MM in cap space, Kansas City could easily accommodate the final year of those 2019 draftees’ rookie contracts, though negotiations on an extension would of course be another matter altogether.

The Chiefs also have the 29th and 30th overall picks in next week’s draft, so they will have the option to add a significant pass-catcher that way. It appears that – or the remaining waves of free agency – will remain the most likely route the team takes to try to maintain their passing attack’s strength in Hill’s absence.

Jets Interested In Jameson Williams?

April 18th, 2022 at 5:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Involved in the Tyreek Hill and Amari Cooper trade talks, the Jets acquired neither. They have since been linked to D.K. Metcalf, having discussed the fourth-year wideout with the Seahawks. Those talks were not believed to have been substantial.

This points the Jets to a receiver in a draft featuring several ready-made contributors but one appearing to lack the top-end talent of last year’s class. It is not certain which of this year’s receiver crop will be the first to go off the board, but the Jets are believed to be interested in Alabama’s Jameson Williams, a source informed ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. While the Jets are continuing to monitor the potential availability of Metcalf and 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel, Cimini notes, they will continue to be connected to using one of their first-round picks on this position.

The Jets-Williams connection comes shortly after a report indicating the Alabama receiver, despite the ACL tear he suffered in the national championship game, is moving toward being a top-10 pick. With linemen and defensive backs atop draft boards, it is possible the Jets would have their pick of the top wideout in this draft. The Jets hold the Nos. 4 and 10 picks in this year’s draft, and even taking their persistent receiver interest into account, it would surprise if the team used that No. 4 choice on one.

Williams’ tear is not likely to cost him much in this draft, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. noting a rise into the top 10 is not out of the question. The Jets have Corey Davis, the recently re-signed Braxton Berrios and second-rounders Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims. While Mims has not come especially close to justifying his draft slot, helping lead the team to this wideout-needy place, the Jets have some options at the position. They also have two picks atop the second round (Nos. 35 and 38, the latter coming via the Sam Darnold trade), should Joe Douglas and Co. opt to address other needs in Round 1. The Jets have not drafted a wideout in the first round since Santana Moss in 2001.

Prior to his knee injury, Williams broke through after transferring from Ohio State to Alabama. The 179-pound pass catcher posted a 79-catch, 1,572-yard, 15-touchdown season to help Bryce Young to the Heisman Trophy. Should he regain that form post-surgery, Williams would provide a tremendous speed injection to whichever offense he joins. ESPN gives he, ex-Buckeyes teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, and USC’s Drake London top-20 grades among this draft’s receiver class. The Jets have met with Wilson, Olave and London, Cimini adds.

Seahawks Receiving Calls On D.K. Metcalf; Extension On Radar

April 6th, 2022 at 3:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

After Pete Carroll‘s language regarding D.K. Metcalf‘s status resembled his pre-trade Russell Wilson stance, trade rumblings regarding the fourth-year wide receiver have emerged. John Schneider‘s recent comments on the escalating receiver market — one that now includes a big-ticket Stefon Diggs deal — also sent up a potential red flag about Metcalf’s Seattle situation.

Indeed, teams are calling the Seahawks on Metcalf, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com notes (video link). But it does not appear the talented wideout’s situation has reached the level where a trade is imminent. Metcalf said in January he wants to stay with the Seahawks, and Garafolo adds the team is interested in an extension. Both Schneider and Carroll have said the team intends to keep Metcalf on a long-term deal.

The Jets look to be one of the teams that have called, but Connor Hughes of The Athletic adds the team was told the Seahawks are “not accepting offers” on their Pro Bowl pass catcher. New York made a big push for Tyreek Hill and was in on the Amari Cooper market. The Jets have made it clear they are hunting for a wideout, and their Hill pursuit shows they are unafraid of paying up for a high-end target.

While Metcalf’s January comments came when Wilson was still on the team, the Seahawks’ disinterest in rebuilding also points to them prioritizing their second-round find. Metcalf is going into a contract year, joining a host of Day 2 receiver investments — from Deebo Samuel to A.J. Brown to Terry McLaurin — in that regard. Diggs, Hill and Davante Adams raised the receiver wage bar, injecting additional intrigue into the 2019 draftees’ contract talks. Metcalf is likely to want a deal in this range, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes. That will put the run-oriented Seahawks to a decision. Part of the reason the team bailed on Wilson was the monster extension the quarterback will be due by 2023.

The Seahawks already acquired two first-rounders and change for Wilson, arming the team with needed draft capital and stripping it of a franchise-quarterback contract. This would make a Metcalf payment easier. The Seahawks would also have the franchise tag in play in 2023, should this situation reach that point. A big offer, however, does keep the door open Metcalf could receive his second contract from another team.

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