DK Metcalf trade grades: Who won the Steelers and Seahawks deal?
DK Metcalf wanted to leave the Seattle Seahawks. Meanwhile, after trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, general manager John Schneider seems intent on blowing it all up (or just repurposing around Sam Darnold?).
Both men got their wish on Sunday evening when the Seahawks finally traded Metcalf away to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's not a particularly shocking move, given recent developments, and I'm not sure it's all that earth-shattering for the current landscape of the NFL, either. Does a merely very good playmaker like Metcalf really make sense for a Steelers team that will likely have a journeyman-caliber quarterback for the foreseeable future? Should the Seahawks be going all-in on an earnest retool after they won 10 games in 2024 with a flawed but ascending roster?
For me, this move mostly warrants a nonchalant shoulder shrug for both sides. But hey, let's unpack this nonetheless, talk about it, and hand out some grades because that's what we do.
The trade details
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, here's what both teams got in the Metcalf deal:
The Steelers get: WR DK Metcalf
The Seahawks get: A 2025 second-round draft pick
Pittsburgh Steelers
Look, I know the Steelers have been a bit desperate lately. Not advancing past the wild card round in nearly a decade despite having a Hall of Fame coach like Mike Tomlin would drive most organizations crazy. I get it. I do.
But seriously, what is the point of this sort of "blockbuster" addition like Metcalf? How does Metcalf help the Steelers' central problem of competing against elite teams while they fatten up on bottom-feeders? Someone, please explain this logic to me. I'd love to hear anything that made sense. Anything at all. Don't worry, I'll wait.
(Waits.)
Since none of you could respond, as it stands, the Steelers don't have a quarterback. They say they're committed to Justin Fields, which you know, he's the guy with the 83.9 career passer rating. I wouldn't be holding my breath on him becoming a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback at the age of 26. Their other potential options are Sam Darnold (the expensive guy who crumbles under any semblance of real pass rush pressure) and Aaron Rodgers (a washed-up malcontent who should probably ride off into the sunset while he still can).
It's not promising. It's actually pretty bleak.
The Steelers already struggle with consistently getting the ball to their playmakers. And it's not because guys don't get open. When you factor in Metcalf's unfathomable five-year, $150 million extension, acquiring him for the Steelers' next disappointing quarterback is like buying one of those fancy multi-step toys that dispense treats for a lovable but dopey golden retriever. I'll tell you this right now: Fido ain't getting to those delicious beef jerky strips, a.k.a. hitting open receivers in tight windows.
That's the other part that bothers me about this nonsensical Steelers move. I like Metcalf. He's a good player in the right situation. I don't think he's worth his new monster contract extension, and I don't think he moves the needle enough for Pittsburgh to compete with the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North, let alone anyone else who is elite in the entire AFC. The Steelers are essentially going all-in on a 9-8 or 10-7 record and another uninspiring first-round playoff loss for a little while. They have gone full galaxy brain if they think the extremely expensive Metcalf is about to elevate them to genuine contender status in their current state.
Grade: C-
Seattle Seahawks
As I rip the Steelers apart, I want to make another thing very clear. I also don't know what the Seahawks' plan is.
They were one of the NFC's better teams last year. They were, in effect, a bad bounce or two away from being a real problem in the postseason. Now, Smith, one of the league's more efficient quarterbacks who propped up poor pass protection from a mediocre offensive line, is gone. Metcalf, who isn't elite but still stretches the field in ways few can, is going with him. And the Seahawks apparently aren't trying to do a rebuild from the studs. They still want to compete on the fly. Good luck with that one, folks.
I will give Seattle credit for knowing when to cut bait. Metcalf is not worth his new contract, and the Seahawks are smart for not giving it to him. It is much more likely that he disappoints in Pittsburgh than ever lives up to the money. You could do a lot worse than recouping a second-round pick for his services in the middle of a retool.
I don't know what the Seahawks are doing, but at least they didn't let him walk away for nothing.
Grade: B-
This article originally appeared on For The Win: DK Metcalf trade grades: Who won the Steelers and Seahawks deal?
