The Seattle Seahawks might have to make a bunch of tough financial decisions this offseason but do so in a way that does not hurt the team in the long term. Seattle has no cap room currently this offseason, so players under contract for 2025 will need to be released or restructured. Or, in the case of wide receiver DK Metcalf, potentially traded.
This is not a call for Metcalf to be moved. He is young enough to be a productive receiver for many seasons to come. He and Jaxon Smith-Njigba could form the top duo for Seattle (the new Metcalf and Lockett) for the next five years. But Metcalf also is going to be expensive beginning in 2026 when he hits free agency, and he also is not a good route runner.
Several of quarterback Geno Smith's interceptions could be blamed on Metcalf not cutting his routes crisply. Smith threw the ball to where Metcalf should have been, but wasn't as the defender had undercut the route. In other words, Metcalf is an expensive receiver who is physically gifted but also costs his team turnovers.
Four landing spots for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf if he is traded
General manager John Schneider could choose to see what he could get for Metcalf, one of the Seahawks' few players who can bring high value back in a trade. Head coach Mike Macdonald doesn't hold the ability to make those decisions like former head coach Pete Carroll did. If Metcalf is traded, it is because John Schneider wanted to trade him. But where could he send him?
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have a young quarterback who looks like he will probably be good in Drake Maye, but what Maye does not have is many weapons. No receiver has more than three receiving touchdowns, and the team's leading receiver was tight end Hunter Henry. Adding Metcalf would give the Pats a receiver who could stretch the field and help others work under the middle.
The Patriots have a pick in each of the first two rounds but have two in the third round. New England needs offensive line help, and they choose fourth overall, so giving up their first-round pick might be a big ask for the Seahawks. Might Seattle be able to pry New England's second-round choice along with one of their thirds for Metcalf? That could be the best Seattle can do in a trade.
Denver Broncos
Courtland Sutton had a pretty effective season for the Broncos, but he was also far more productive than any other Denver receiver. The Broncos, like the Patriots, also had a rookie quarterback leading them, and the Broncos' Bo Nix appeared to be a bit more ready to win than Maye. Should Denver's Sean Payton choose to add Metcalf, that would give Nix to high-level receivers to help push the offense forward.
Denver holds the number 20 pick in the draft, as well as number 51 in the second round. The question is how much Metcalf is truly worth to other teams. If Payton sees Metcalf as the offensive weapon that gets the Broncos to the next level and potentially overtake the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West then maybe Denver sends pick 20 to Seattle.
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles found a long-term WR1 in the 2024 NFL draft when they chose Ladd McConkey, but there is a precipitous fall to number two. Metcalf would be WR1A, but he has different abilities than McConkey. As opposed to Metcalf being the receiver that gets others open, McConkey could be the main worry for opposing defenses allowing Metcalf to be highly productive.
How much does LA and head coach Jim Harbaugh want to give up, though? Maybe the relationship between Harbaugh and Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald helps the teams work out a deal that is favorable for both teams. Or maybe the Chargers are focused on taking a linebacker or cornerback first, and Metcalf is simply a luxury the team does not prioritize.
Las Vegas Raiders
This could be an interesting location for Metcalf to end up. There is a chance that the Raiders choose to hire former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who interviewed with the team this week and then bring in Russell Wilson as a free agent to be QB1. If that happens, a trade for Metcalf makes lots of sense as the receiver, head coach, and quarterback have a previous working relationship.
Las Vegas has the number six overall choice in the 2025 NFL draft, but that might be too much for Seattle to ask for. The Raiders also have pick 37 overall so possibly general manager John Schneider decides that is good enough in order to move Seattle's mercurial receiver who does not run routes very well.