John Schneider better hope he is right about everything he is doing for the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. He has traded or released three of the most important pieces of Seattle's offense. The defense might be better next year, but the offense could hold the team back.
After trading Geno Smith last week, the team traded wide receiver DK Metcalf on Sunday. He was sent to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second-round choice in the 2025 NFL draft. That is probably the best Seattle could do.
At least, moving Metcalf now means that the team has even more cap room. That is expected to be north of $60 million when free agency begins this week, one of the best numbers in the league. But who might have benefitted from the Metcalf trade?
Winners and losers from Seattle Seahawks trading DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Winner - DK Metcalf
Metcalf wanted out, and he got out. He also wanted financial stability, and who can blame him? Everyone wants that. Seattle seemingly did not want to pay either Metcalf or Geno Smith in the future, so this definitely should make a 12 wonder what is going on. What does general manager John Schneider see as the future of the offense?
Or, maybe, the team is about to be sold. No longer does Jody Allen and the Paul Allen Trust have to pay back funds that the state of Washington helped with to build what is now Lumen Field. If contracts are not being overpaid, the new financial group would be in a better position. This is only speculation, but something seems to be going on.
For Metcalf, he will be the absolute WR1 in Pittsburgh and playing on a team with an extremely stable coaching staff. The quarterback situation is a question, but Metcalf's new deal of $150 million over five years is going to make a lot of things go down more smoothly.
Loser - Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Poor JSN. He was part of a very good trio of receivers in 2024, and he tied the franchise record for catches in a season with 100. He also could play off of Metcalf, as the bigger receiver took a lot of attention away from Smith-Njigba. Now, every defense is going to focus solely on JSN.
Will he still be productive? Sure, but who is going to throw him the ball? Who is going to be playing across from him as a receiver? He doesn't know. Neither does the team overall.
Winner - Russell Wilson
Wilson is set to be a free agent, as is fellow 2024 Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. The question for Pittsburgh might be whom to bring back. With the team trading for Metcalf, Wilson has to have the edge if either quarterback does. Last offseason, Metcalf and Wilson worked out together, so there is clearly some kind of bond.
Wilson would also be a better quarterback throwing to a receiver he is familiar with. Every quarterback would be. Plus, Wilson is not going to be overly expensive, so while the Steelers just gave Metcalf a huge contract, the team might be saving money at the quarterback position.
Loser - Klint Kubiak
Like JSN, poor Kubiak. He was hired this offseason as the new offensive coordinator to replace the fired Ryan Grubb. At the time, Kubiak still had Geno Smith as the quarterback, and the receiver group consisted of Metcalf, Lockett, and Smith-Njigba. Three of those four are now gone, and Seattle still has not addressed its offensive line.
Kubiak wants a more balanced offense, but now he might be forced to be run-heavy. The new OC has to hope running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet stay healthy, or the offense might be doomed.
Winner - Noah Fant
Fant could have been released this offseason, and the team would have saved nearly $9 million. Kubiak does use his tight ends well, but Fant is more of a receiver than a blocker. The Seahawks absolutely need receivers now, however, so Fant likely stays on the team. At least he would give whomever the next quarterback is another weapon.
Fant might also be productive enough to earn a bigger contract beginning in 2026 when he becomes a free agent. He should be among the happiest Seahawks after the DK Metcalf trade.
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