On Wednesday, the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf had requested a trade. The receiver is young enough (he is only 27 years old) and has been productive enough that Seattle would want a lot in return for Metcalf. But exactly how much?
We might have learned the answer to that from The Athletic's Dianna Russini. She reported Seattle would like quite a lot. So much so that many teams might not be willing or able to give the Seahawks what they want. It would seem clear that the reported amount is the high end of what general manager John Schneider would want, and negotiations can start there.
That is because, according to Russini, Seattle wants a first-round draft pick and a third-rounder as well. The problem with that is that amount is higher than what NFL wide receivers have been going for in the last few years. Some top wideouts do not even bring a first-rounder back. Seattle might be lucky to get a second-round choice and a fifth-round pick.
Seattle Seahawks want a huge return for wide receiver DK Metcalf in a trade
But is that truly enough for DK Metcalf?
It shouldn't be. Plus, Metcalf could simply be working an angle to force Seattle into being extremely proactive about working out a contract extension. The receiver's current deal is up after 2025, and Metcalf probably wants to know what his financial future looks like prior to next season beginning.
The Seahawks are seeking a first- and third-round pick for WR DK Metcalf, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 6, 2025
Metcalf is also eyeing a new contract worth around $30M per year.
Multiple teams have inquired. pic.twitter.com/JX93XAvb52
Or possibly Metcalf knows that Seattle is not going to give him a deal that pays him $30 million annually. The Seahawks are not afraid to spend money. After all, recent contracts for Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, and Dre'Mont Jones had cap hits above $20 million. However, the years of those contracts did not reach fruition because the players underperformed. Maybe Schneider is afraid the same thing will happen with Metcalf.
Seattle does have one thing going in its favor. While there are a large number of good wide receivers on the free agent market when free agency begins next week, some are past their primes, and none are likely to be as productive as Metcalf for the next few years. He could be the number one receiver on the market (via trade, of course), so teams might be willing to get close to the Seahawks' asking price.
In all likelihood, while Seattle wants first-and-third-round picks for DK Metcalf, they might be lucky to get a single first-round choice. Perhaps a team such as the Kansas City Chiefs (who hold the 31st pick in the 2025 NFL draft) would be willing to do that. Or maybe the Green Bay Packers (who have the 23rd overall pick) would.
Expecting any team to do a first and third seems unrealistic. No harm in the Seahawks asking, though.