7 hours Ago By Daniel Mader
DK Metcalf has been one of the most consistent wide receivers in the NFL since being drafted by the Seahawks in 2019. Now, after six seasons in Seattle, he's on the move. The Seahawks sent Metcalf to the Steelers on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
There had been some trade rumors surrounding the receiver throughout the NFL offseason, and he requested a trade days before the deal was struck. Seattle's decision to go along with the request from Metcalf, 27, may come as a surprise to some. He's become what many consider to be an elite weapons in the league and has provided the Seahawks with a steady presence in its wide receiver room.
Here's what to know about the Metcalf trade, including why Seattle is parting ways with the star receiver and a look at Metcalf's career stats. MORE NFL OFFSEASON NEWS: SN's latest mock draft Top 125 big board for 2025 NFL Draft Full order of picks for 2025 NFL Draft Ranking the best NFL free agents, 1-75 Way-too-early NFL power rankings for 2025 DK Metcalf trade details Seahawks receive: 2025 second-round pick (No. 52) Steelers receive: WR DK Metcalf As the Seahawks part ways with Metcalf, they'll be receiving the Steelers' 2025 second-round pick in return.
The Seahawks will now turn to Jaxon Smith-Njigba to lead their wide receiver room in 2025, but a thin depth chart behind him means most additions are almost certain. The Steelers, however, will be adding Metcalf as a new weapon despite an uncertain quarterback situation, flipping draft capital to land one of the game's best wide receivers. Why did the Seahawks trade DK Metcalf? Rumors surrounding Metcalf's future in Seattle began to float around early in the NFL offseason.
With the team unable to find much postseason success in his tenure, plus with Metcalf set for free agency after the 2025 season, they would have had to soon make a significant financial commitment to retain him. Metcalf officially requested a trade from Seattle in early March, with the wide receiver reportedly preferring to be dealt to a contender. Between Metcalf's trade request and not having a set-in-stone franchise quarterback in place, the Seahawks would have been extending Metcalf at some point without a fully clear offensive direction.
Metcalf has also dealt with some nagging injuries in the past, although he's never appeared in fewer than 15 games in a season. With Smith-Njigba breaking out for 1,130 receiving yards in 2024, Seattle has another receiver that appears ready to step into a No. 1 role.
Metcalf's departure allows Smith-Njigba to step into a premiere role in Seattle's offense while keeping the franchise from spending more money on a potential Metcalf extension. The Seahawks could still look to fill Metcalf's void through the draft or free agency, but the decision to trade him likely stems from financial savings, a lack of postseason success since the receiver was drafted, Smith-Njigba's growth and fulfilling Metcalf's trade request. Rumors began swirling around Metcalf in February, and now, Seattle has gotten a deal done.
MORE: Franchise tag values, dates, values, & more Every team's salary cap space for 2025 free agency Key dates for 2025 NFL free agency DK Metcalf stats Here's a look at Metcalf's career numbers: Season Games Receptions Rec. yards AVG TDs 2019 16 58 900 15.5 7 2020 16 83 1,303 15.
7 10 2021 17 75 967 12.9 12 2022 17 90 1,048 11.6 6 2023 16 66 1,114 16.
9 8 2024 15 66 992 15.0 5 Totals: 97 438 6,324 14.4 48.
