A Bold Move by Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines by acquiring standout wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. In exchange, Pittsburgh sent a 2025 second-round draft pick and agreed to additional pick swaps.
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider spoke about the high-profile move on a recent episode of the 3 & Out Podcast, shedding light on how the deal came together. “Pittsburgh, [Steelers general manager Omar Khan], those guys were really aggressive,” Schneider said, as shared by Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Metcalf’s Preferred Destinations
Reports suggested that Metcalf had his eyes on either the Houston Texans or Los Angeles Chargers. However, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson, the Seahawks needed a team that could not only offer sufficient compensation but also had the financial ability to extend Metcalf’s contract.
Although the New England Patriots were reportedly in the mix, Metcalf was unwilling to commit his future to the franchise. Ultimately, he agreed to a five-year, $150 million contract extension as part of his move to Pittsburgh.
A Shift in Seattle
Both Metcalf and former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson played under longtime Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Following the 2023 season, Carroll was transitioned into an advisory role, and Seattle hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as his successor in January 2024.
Schneider reflected on the conversations that led to Metcalf’s departure. “In regards to DK, we had a ton of conversations last offseason about his legacy and where he wanted to go,” Schneider added during the podcast.
“Once he met the new coaching staff, he was excited. And then this year, it just happened, and again, you can’t change the way people think. As much as we love him and want to have him here, when people want to leave, it’s difficult to try to convince them to stay. Once we got back from the combine, we had another real open talk. Then we told him we would concede to his wishes.”
Influence Behind the Scenes
Some reports suggest that Russell Wilson may have played a role in encouraging Metcalf to seek a new team. One claim noted that Wilson “was whispering in DK’s ears” and is “the reason” Metcalf desired a fresh start. If those conversations hadn’t occurred, there’s a chance Metcalf would still be in Seattle.
