Many decisions made by NFL general managers are often questioned, largely because the public doesn’t have full insight into what happens behind the scenes within a franchise. Trades and the release of talented players can sometimes seem puzzling — especially when those players are fan favorites.
Earlier this offseason, the Seattle Seahawks traded wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who quickly signed him to a four-year, $132 million extension.
While Metcalf had publicly expressed frustration and requested a trade, one insider revealed that this wasn’t a recent issue — his discontent had reportedly been building for more than just one offseason.
DK Metcalf Wanted Out of Seattle Multiple Times in Recent Years
Since being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, DK Metcalf had been the go-to weapon at wide receiver. Known for his trademark physicality dating back to his collegiate career, as well as his on-field intelligence, Metcalf was widely expected to remain with the franchise on a new long-term deal.
According to ESPN insider Brady Henderson, the Seahawks had no initial plans to trade Metcalf at the start of the offseason. However, the player’s ongoing desire to play elsewhere forced the team to reconsider — ultimately leading Seattle to explore trade partners that were also willing to offer Metcalf a new long-term deal.
“That revelation sheds light on Seattle’s decision to deal Metcalf to the Steelers for the No. 52 selection and a swap of late-round picks. The Seahawks didn’t plan on trading him at the start of the offseason, but they had to weigh Metcalf’s prolonged unhappiness in addition to the inherent risk of signing a player to a massive third contract,” Henderson revealed.
Metcalf’s preferred destinations were the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans — both offenses led by young, strong-armed quarterbacks who could fully maximize his skill set. However, contract demands became a significant hurdle for most teams, many of which had other priorities heading into the offseason.
Pittsburgh’s move came as a surprise, especially since the team currently doesn’t have a top-tier quarterback under contract.
With Justin Fields and Russell Wilson departing in free agency, the Steelers’ quarterback room now consists of Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, making a massive contract for a wide receiver entering his third deal an unexpected move.
Even so, Pittsburgh’s offense was in need of help. The team ranked 25th in the PFSN Offensive+ Metric and had George Pickens as its only reliable wide receiver option. Now, whether a veteran or a rookie quarterback is brought in to lead the offense, a solid foundation at receiver will be in place.
Another AFC Team Tried Trading for Metcalf, But He Declined
The New England Patriots had been searching for a wide receiver for the past two seasons. In 2024, before the season began, they were one of the most aggressive teams pursuing Brandon Aiyuk. However, Aiyuk declined the trade, making it clear he didn’t want to sign an extension with the Patriots.
According to Henderson, the same situation unfolded with DK Metcalf, who informed the Seattle Seahawks that he had no interest in playing for New England, effectively shutting down any possibility of a deal.
“The Patriots were interested in trading for Metcalf, but he effectively nixed that possibility by making it known that he didn’t want to go to New England, according to a source familiar with the discussions.”
New England eventually found its veteran receiver in Stefon Diggs, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the franchise, including $26 million guaranteed.
Still, it’s interesting to note that even after drafting Drake Maye, there seems to be a hesitation among top receivers when it comes to committing to a long-term deal with the Patriots.