DK Metcalf trade request: ESPN NFL insider reveals how Geno Smith trade impacts talks

DK Metcalf requested a trade and now that the Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith, things could change. Metcalf could still find himself elsewhere, but there’s a chance he returns, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Right now, the team is weighing options after shipping off their starting quarterback. The team also released Tyler Lockett, making the offense a little thin.

But if the Seahawks go after a quarterback in free agency, perhaps Metcalf could return to the fold in the final year of his deal. Sam Darnold perhaps?

“Seattle is weighing the options, they’ve had talks with multiple teams, and, you know, not a lot of progress yet on that front,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “They’re going to sort of figure that out. Now, with Geno Smith being gone, does that change things with them trying to find a new quarterback? Are they going to look for, say, Sam Darnold, spend money on him and then try to pair him with DK Metcalf, try to keep him potentially because he’s got a year left on his deal? Usually, these things revolve around money. They could find a sweet spot on a new contract for DK Metcalf. Perhaps they keep them.” 

However, despite the interest, it’s a steep price to pay for Metcalf. He might be worth the price of admission, so to speak, but he could hit free agency after a year and teams would just have to be patient.

“The problem that teams are finding that are weighing in on this, like, say, the LA Chargers, they’ve been linked to DK Metcalf for a while now, but even though there’s some cursory interest, they’re concerned about giving up like a first round pick and more,” Fowler said. “Plus, having to give him a new contract, $30 million or more per year. So teams are having a hard time dealing with that when there’s still a lot of free agent wide receivers available they can get for no draft compensation.”

All told, Metcalf, 27, has a $31.875 million cap hit in 2025. While he remains productive, tallying 66 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns last season, the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba makes extending Metcalf an interesting dilemma for general manager John Schneider.

“Where do things stand?” Schneider said last week, via Gregg Bell of The News Tribune, regarding Metcalf. “I’m not sure. He’s on our team. Yeah, yeah. He’s a big, strong, fast, physical receiver.”