The Seattle Seahawks must have really gotten tired of wide receiver DK Metcalf asking to be traded. He reportedly made that request multiple times before general manager John Schneider finally dealt the mercurial player to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
But Schneider and the team knew that moving Metcalf would cost them. Sure, the team got a second-round draft pick back, but there was going to be a lot of leftover money still owed to Metcalf. $21 million, in fact. The receiver holds the most dead cap for any former Seattle player this offseason.
That number also represents the seventh-most in the NFL. In other words, once Seattle decided it no longer wanted to listen to Metcalf's complaints, the dead money no longer mattered.
Former Seahawks' DK Metcalf carries the seventh-most dead cap in the NFL in 2025
Schneider has a history of making moves that might carry a lot of dead money. Last offseason, he released safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs even though their combined dead cap was more than $30 million. The team still saved against the salary cap in making the moves.
Moreover, not having Diggs and Adams meant adding players that would improve the roster, which is the hopeful reason that nearly any move is made: The team wants to get better by ridding itself of diminishing or underperforming players and adding ones who will help more.
The same holds true of Metcalf as well. While his raw production, despite his poor route-running, might be more challenging to replace than that of Adams and Diggs's, his inconsistent attitude was not needed on a roster getting ever-younger.
Since 2020, Metcalf has been called for 10 15-yard penalties for things such as unsportsmanlike conduct. His emotions often got the better of him and cost the team on the field. He also appears not to have had a great relationship with former quarterback Geno Smith. The Seahawks didn't want the drama that Metcalf sometimes brought.
It seems obvious that Seattle made an intentional effort to acquire players who had a calmer approach to playing football and stayed more level-headed during games. Quarterback Sam Darnold might not have the raw ability of Geno Smith, but his demeanor is more consistent during games.
The same can be said of wide receiver Cooper Kupp compared to Metcalf. Schneider and the Seahawks hope to limit the emotional highs and lows that can happen during a game and over the course of an entire season.
If that meant trading DK Metcalf and eating $21 million, so be it. Not having the off-ball and off-field headaches should be worth it.