DK Metcalf was not an issue for the Seattle Seahawks during OTAs and minicamps with the team. He wasn't a bad person off the field, either. While consistently productive, even if it seems like he could have been more so, his problems came from his emotions overcoming him during games.
According to one Steelers beat writer, Pittsburgh is getting the usual Metcalf experience during minicamp, and that's great. Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote that Metcalf was being a far better teammate to cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in camp than former receiver George Pickens ever was.
Carter said, "During one of their early reps of training camp, Porter ran with Metcalf on a fade route to the end zone and applied close coverage. But a referee in attendance called Porter for a defensive holding penalty. Porter protested the call and claimed Metcalf had pushed him and forced him to respond with contact."
Former Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf putting best foot forward with the Steelers...for now
Sounds like Metcalf, of course. He is a physical receiver who has used his size and strength to get open. But there was more to the story.
Carter continued, "After the play, Metcalf and Porter shook hands and then went back to their huddles to prepare for the next rep. It was a stark contrast to when former Steelers receiver George Pickens and Porter faced off over the past two years, when Pickens would often mock Porter if he made a play over him."
Metcalf did get into scuffles with fellow teammates with the Seahawks, including swinging his helmet at cornerback Tre Brown in 2024. At this point, the wide receiver was five seasons into his career with Seattle. He had also reportedly been upset with the team and requested to be traded multiple times.
Perhaps the issue with Brown stemmed from Metcalf knowing he wanted out of Seattle and was frustrated. Perhaps it was simply two players in the heat of training camp getting easily angered. Either way, fighting wasn't good.
Metcalf might also not have gotten along very well with quarterback Geno Smith, but there is an ever-growing rumor that Smith might have been difficult for many Seahawks to work with. Smith accepted blame for losses after games, but often seemingly placed blame during games. One could see how he acted on the sidelines from their couches.
Of course, now neither Metcalf nor Smith is with Seattle. Each was traded this offseason. The quarterback went to the Las Vegas Raiders, while the wide receiver went to the Steelers.
And the wide receiver should, at this point, be the standup teammate he was with the Seahawks early in his career. He is in a new situation and recently received the money he wanted from the Seahawks, as he signed a four-year and $132 million extension with the Steelers.
What Pittsburgh fans will likely learn, however, is that minicamp and training camp Metcalf is different than regular season Metcalf. He will have too many unnecessary 15-yard penalties called on him, hurting his team. Eventually, he will get feisty with teammates in future training camps. The Steelers are getting the best of Metcalf, for now at least.