The Seattle Seahawks are at a crossroads after their second straight season of missing the playoffs. A 10-7 record in 2024 might look solid on paper, but the reality was far more frustrating. They had several close games and most of their losses came against playoff-bound teams, highlighting the gap between Seattle and true NFL contenders.
The Seahawks have talent, but the formula they’ve relied on isn’t bringing home the results they need. Now, one of the most explosive players in franchise history, DK Metcalf, could be on the move as part of a seismic roster shake-up in Seattle.
Sports Illustrated Insider Predicts DK Metcalf Trade
NFL analyst Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated believes the Seahawks will move on from Metcalf this offseason, citing financial and schematic reasons:
“The Seahawks will trade DK Metcalf this offseason. Metcalf is incredibly talented, but John Schneider did not make his reputation as a general manager by doling out $30-plus million per year to a wide receiver for his age 28, 29, and 30 seasons.
“Metcalf will have plenty of suitors amid a down market, and the Seahawks can build around Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Everything about Mike Macdonald’s coaching search shows a coach who is trying to become more controlling on the ground and less dependent on 100-plus targets.”
The logic makes sense. At 27, Metcalf is still in his prime, but his contract situation makes things tricky. He’s set to carry a $31.87 million cap hit in 2025, and Seattle may not be eager to commit to that kind of money — especially when they have a young, rising star in Jaxon Smith-Njigba waiting for a bigger role.
In PFSN’s bold predictions for every NFL team, however, things will go a bit differently this year for Seattle. The PFSN staff believes the Seahawks “will win 12+ games and host multiple playoff games” this coming season. Should that be the case, it would be difficult picturing them doing so inside a tough NFC West without Metcalf.
The Seahawks’ Offense Needs a Reset
Seattle’s offense flashed potential in 2024 but never found true consistency. The unit finished with a PFSN Offensive+ regular-season grade of 71.2 (C-), and the issues ran deeper than just one position.
Smith-Njigba emerged as the team’s most reliable pass catcher in his second season, proving he could handle a WR1 workload. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet showed promise in the backfield, giving Seattle a solid rushing attack when healthy.
However, the offensive line was a glaring weakness, allowing the third-highest non-blitz pressure rate in the NFL. That left Geno Smith scrambling, leading the league with 13 turnovers when pressured.
Seattle responded by parting ways with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after just one season. Now, with Macdonald heading into his second season at the helm, the Seahawks seem poised to shift toward a more run-heavy, balanced attack — one that may no longer prioritize one of the NFL’s fastest and most physically dominant receivers.
A Trade Could Benefit Both Sides
Trading Metcalf wouldn’t just clear cap space; it could bring back valuable assets to help Seattle rebuild in the trenches. Offensive line help is a clear priority, and with multiple Super Bowl contenders looking for a dynamic receiver, the Seahawks could demand a strong return.
For Metcalf, a move could be exactly what he needs. In Seattle, he’s put up big numbers but has yet to play in a meaningful playoff game since 2020, when the Seahawks lost 28-23 to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round.
A trade to a team with an elite quarterback and legitimate Super Bowl aspirations could give Metcalf the stage he’s been waiting for and a huge boost to his stats. Instead of battling inconsistency in Seattle, he could become the missing piece for a contender.