How Seahawks DK Metcalf’s surgery affects his 2022 season

Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf reportedly had recent surgery to remove a screw from his foot. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport the procedure was minor and appears not to require long-term recovery.

This means Metcalf should be completely healed well before Week 1 of the 2022 regular season. And next year will be the most important of Metcalf’s career. If he does well, the Seahawks will need to spend a lot of money to try to keep him in Seattle.

This is because Metcalf is entering the final season of his four-year rookie contract. In fact, 2022 will be the first year where Metcalf’s base salary exceeds $1 million. He is due to make a base of $3.986 million this coming season. Metcalf has become one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL and is still just 24 years old.

DK Metcalf could be in for a big year for the Seahawks in 2022

Getting Metcalf to sign an extension before he hits free agency next offseason should be a focal point of what the Seahawks do this offseason. Seattle has plenty of cap space to get an extension done and either not extending him this offseason or retaining him for several years starting in 2023 next offseason would be nearly criminal.

Metcalf was fourth in the league in touchdown receptions this past year with 12. He was tied for 8th in 2020 with 10. Metcalf was 7th in receiving yards in 2020 with 1,303 and was fifth in yards-per-catch (15.7) among players with 50 or more receptions.

In 2021, Metcalf had the same amount of targets as he did in 2020 (129) and just 8 fewer catches (83 to 75) but produced over 300 fewer yards. Some of this can be contributed to Metcalf’s seemingly season-long foot issue of which the screw was just removed. Metcalf didn’t miss any games but he missed a lot of practice time due to needing to rest his foot.

So imagine what Metcalf can do for the Seahawks in 2022 if his foot is fully healthy. Not only should Metcalf be extra-motivated due to playing in his walk year (he is going to make a lot more money starting in 2023 but how well he plays in 2022 will help determine how much more money) but he should be completely healthy.

A receiver who relies on speed dealing with a foot injury hinders his performance even if just slightly. But Metcalf has already had one 1,300-yard season for the Seahawks. There is no reason not to expect another in 2022.