NFL fines DK Metcalf for fourth time this season for unnecessary roughness

DK Metcalf said earlier this week he wasn’t going to change the aggressive way he plays. And once again, the NFL fined the Seahawks receiver.

The fine announced Saturday was for $16,391. It’s the fourth unnecessary roughness fine for Metcalf and the sixth overall. His fine tab stands at $65,563. Since it’s the seventh week of the season, the trend suggests the receiver’s amount will only go up, especially after he’s shown no remorse for fines. That was even after coach Pete Carroll called him out for it in a team meeting.

“I’m not going to change the way I play,’’ DK Metcalf told reporters this week. “If you look at the penalties, there’s a taunting, unnecessary roughness, face mask, 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 maybe, but I’m not going to change who I am as a player or a person.”

Here’s the play the NFL found to meet the definition of unnecessary roughness. We’re thinking Bengals cornerback Cam-Taylor Britt also believed the play met the threshold.

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

Carroll called out DK Metcalf in a team meeting. It didn’t matter

Taylor-Britt acknowledge he was doing some “talking.” pre-shove. Then Metcalf unexpectedly pushed the cornerback in the chest and knocked him on his rear. Officials flagged Metcalf for 15 yards.

Carroll told reporters he goes over penalties with the players each Monday.

“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. Metcalf “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 started the season with a similar cheap shot against a DB. He shoved Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who wasn’t even facing the receiver. Rams coach Sean McVay complained to the officials, saying Witherspoon suffered a bruised rib and hip when Metcalf shoved him. The play also was Metcalf’s first fine of the season.

Metcalf already has exceeded last year’s total of $61,000.