Seahawks should want to go ahead and work out an extension with DK Metcalf now

DK Metcalf is not going to get less expensive. The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver is currently signed through 2025 and while he is getting paid a lot of money, the money he is currently making is likely nothing compared to what he is about to make. This offseason, several receivers signed extension, and some are now paid an average of $30 million. The price is only going to go higher.

The advantage that Metcalf has over some of his fellow competitors is that while he has spent five years in the NFL, he is only 26 years old. He is young enough to play another five seasons at a high level. The two-time Pro Bowler could have his best season in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Again, Metcalf is not going to get less expensive and he knows it.

This is why general manager John Schneider needs to do an un-Schneider-like thing. He needs to sign a player to an extension a full two seasons before the player is set to hit free agency. Metcalf is reliable, doesn't get hurt, and is more productive now than any other receiver on the team. Plus, again, he is only 26 years old.

Seahawks might want to be very proactive in extension discussions with DK Metcalf

On Saturday, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that the Miami Dolphins signed receiver Tyreek Hill to a three-year extension that will pay him $90 million with $65 million guaranteed. Hill has been terrifically productive with the Dolphins, but he is 30 years old so Miami is taking a huge gamble that the receiver is still going to be good when he is 34. That's a huge risk.

Metcalf is four years younger than Hill and is a bigger receiver. Once into his 30s, even if he begins to slow a bit, he should be able to use his size to his advantage and still be a crucial threat, especially in the red zone, for Seattle.

The other issue is that while four receivers - Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson, and A.J. Brown (all of whom signed extensions this offseason) - now make at least an average of $30 million a season on their new deals, several others are going to hit the free agent mark next year and that is going to driver the wide receiver market even higher.

These receivers are Tee Higgins, CeeDee Lamb, and Brandon Aiyuk. Each will break the $30 million a year barrier, likely with ease. Metcalf is only a year older than Higgins and Lamb, and he is only about 100 days older than Aiyuk.

The point is that when DK Metcalf signs his next contract, he is going to get a hefty raise. The Seahawks would be smarter to tie him up long-term now and possibly save a lot of money. Even getting him to $30 million a season beginning in 2026 might be better than the $35 million or more that Seattle will probably need to pay Metcalf should they wait to talk extension.

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