Seahawks’ Pete Carroll, John Schneider say DK Metcalf remains part of team’s long-term plans

Seemingly everyone on the Seahawks‘ roster is considered fair game as far as trades are concerned following Russell Wilson’s departure to Denver. That includes former Pro Bowl receiver DK Metcalf, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Metcalf’s future, which was already a hot-button topic before Wilson’s trade, has been further speculated on following the team’s decision to trade one of the best players in franchise history. 

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider fielded questions about Metcalf’s future Tuesday during the NFL Annual League Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. Both Carroll and Schneider alluded to Metcalf remaining in Seattle amidst the ongoing questions regarding his future. 

Carroll said that he “can’t imagine” not having Metcalf on the Seahawks’ roster, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson. Carroll also alluded to a future extension for Metcalf, who caught 216 passes for 3,170 yards and 29 touchdowns during his first three seasons in Seattle. 

Schneider, who confirmed that it is the team’s “intent” to extend Metcalf, said that the exploding market for receivers has somewhat complicated matters. 

“It is what it is now, right?” Schneider said, via ESPN’s Brady Henderson. “This is the market. So we’ll get to that when we get to it. But yeah there is a bit of, whoa, but then you have to figure out, where’s the cap going? What it’s going to look like? How do you build your team?”

Like quarterbacks, the monetary value for elite receivers has risen significantly in recent years. During the 2017 offseason, then-Steelers receiver Antonio Brown signed a four-year extension that, at $17 million annually, made him the highest-paid receiver in league history. Last week, Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill inked a four-year, $120 million deal with Miami after being traded from Kansas City. Hill tops a list of eight receivers who currently make at least $20 million annually. Given his early production, it’s safe to say Metcalf will look to join that list of receivers with his new extension. 

Further complicating matters is the money Seattle has already invested in fellow receiver Tyler Lockett. Lockett, a 1,000-yard receiver in each of the last three seasons, is just one year into a four-year extension that pays him $17.25 million annually, the 12th-highest annual salary among receivers. 

Seattle, which stumbled to a 7-10 record in 2021, received a slew of draft picks in exchange for Russell that included two future first-round picks and a pair of second-round picks. The Seahawks have eight picks in next month’s draft after having just three picks during the 2021 NFL Draft. While quarterback is a concern, offensive line remains the Seahawks’ biggest position unit in need of an upgrade heading into the 2022 NFL Draft.