DK Metcalf won’t change playing style despite penalties

No matter what his coach says or the amount of money he’s fined by the NFL, DK Metcalf said he’s not going to change his style of play.

In his mind, violence begets violence. The Seahawks receiver already is bigger and stronger than any of the defensive backs he faces. And he likes to add a little spice to their interactions. But he also might be in line for another fine by the NFL after his interaction with Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt. Specifically, we’re talking about this interaction.

DK Metcalf got hit with a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty for this cheapshot on Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt. pic.twitter.com/o0MinoCSbS

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 15, 2023

As you could see, DK Metcalf and Taylor-Britt had some mild interaction. Taylor-Britt said he was doing some “talking.” Then for whatever reason, Metcalf unexpectedly pushed the cornerback in the chest and knocked him on his rear. Officials flagged him for 15 yards.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll talked about the penalties this week. He said he brings them up with his team.

“We put all penalties on the board in Monday’s meetings, and the guys that have the most are on the top,” Carroll told reporters. “He was up there with another guy. We all have to acknowledge it and recognize what our issues are, whatever they are, and it happens to be in this case. He’s getting called. He knows. He’s got to clean it up and we have to make sure that we’re aware of how they’re calling stuff.

Carroll added: “He’s a very aggressive player and very physical. And it stands out and he draws attention because of that. We’ve got to be cleaner. He knows it and he’s got to get it done.”

DK Metcalf says ‘he’s doing pretty good’ with penalties

Metcalf shrugged off Carroll’s comments. “It’s just a board to me, I’m not going to change the way I play. If you look at the penalties, there’s a taunting, unnecessary roughness, facemask, holding. And I think it was one more in there. I’m doing pretty good if I look at it and judge myself knowing how I play and just try to be consistent and have clean hands or whatever the case may be. But I’m not going to change who I am as a player or a person.”

But here’s the deal. Officials have hit Metcalf four times for those 15-yarders in the first six weeks of the season. (One offset). Those are the type of inexplicable flags that can kill a team’s chances in a tight game. Here’s another example of Metcalf’s spicy play.

Frustrations boiling over for the Seahawks right now 😬
pic.twitter.com/GvF7Kbkdqn

— PFF (@PFF) September 10, 2023

DK Metcalf started the season with the above penalty on Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. LA coach Sean McVay complained to the officials about it, too. He said Witherspoon suffered a bruised rib and hip when Metcalf shoved him.

The NFL noticed as well. The league fined Metcalf $10,927 for unnecessary roughness. And the NFL also tagged him with another $10,927 for his behavior. In the first three weeks of the season, the NFL fined him four times. Now also consider Metcalf paid $61,000 in fines last season. It’s definitely a trend.