Why DK Metcalf’s extension makes sense for Seahawks and player

The Seattle Seahawks and star receiver DK Metcalf agreed to a three-year, $72 million extension with a ridiculous amount of guaranteed money, and it might have been one of the three best moves the Seahawks made all offseason.

First, let’s look at this from a roster perspective. The Seahawks have a lot of talent at receiver, but not much in the way of proven production. Beyond Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, there’s a lot of speed and a lot of promise between guys like Marquise Goodwin, Dee Eskridge, and Noah Fant, but barring an unexpected breakout, Metcalf is one of just two receiving options on the team that would ever warrant a double-team.

I’ve spoken briefly about Drew Lock’s fit in Seattle previously, but it’s worth adding that Metcalf’s ability to draw the defense’s attention could really simplify things for Seattle’s offense — if there’s one thing that helps a marginal QB, it’s having extra space on the field to work with, and Metcalf’s monstrous 6’4″ frame offers a lot of gravity to pull defenders away from the middle of the field with.

Done deal!: DK Metcalf signs extension with Seahawks

In terms of team-building, this solidifies the Seahawks’ stance that they don’t plan on tanking for draft capital any time soon. And while that may strike a chord with those who would rather root for a team with a 2-15 record than a 7-10 record, it also makes sense with the roster Seattle is currently fielding.

Lockett turns 30 in September, their biggest defensive stars are all in their mid-20s, save for 29-year-old Quandre Diggs, and they’re beginning to re-invest in the offensive line, having drafted two highly regarded tackles in Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas.

With lots of draft capital to work with in the next two years, they could easily find themselves looking at a very deep roster as soon as next season.

For Metcalf, this extension keeps him in Seattle through his 28th birthday, after which, he will have the option to elect for free agency. Three years gives him time to evaluate whether or not he believes in Seattle’s decision to retool rather than rebuild, and if the retool burns out, it gets him to free agency in the thick of his theoretical prime.

28-year-old wideouts with Metcalf’s tools don’t hit free agency terribly often, and when they do, they usually get paid as handsomely as any non-QB on the market. Whether Seattle makes it back to the postseason in this contract window or not, it lines up fantastically for Metcalf, who stands to reset the WR market twice in the span of three years thanks to this deal.

The stage has now been set for the Seahawks to return to the big kids’ table in the NFC. They have three years to re-assert themselves as contenders, and if they don’t, they’ll be looking down the barrel of a full-scale rebuild, probably with new coaches and front office staff.