DK Metcalf and the Seattle Seahawks started the season 3-0 but have lost three straight games since then. On Thursday night, they lost 36-24 to the San Francisco 49ers.
Geno Smith had the opportunity to give the Seahawks the lead in the fourth quarter, but he threw an interception. Following that turnover, the 49ers scored a touchdown and led 29-17.
Colin Cowherd has growing concerns about Smith and, after the Seahawks’ loss against the 49ers, suggested the team should consider trading Metcalf.
Colin Cowherd on DK Metcalf’s Future With Seahawks
On “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” the Fox Sports analyst mentioned that there are a plethora of good receivers every year in the draft, and the Seahawks could replace Metcalf’s production. He said:
“DK sometimes doesn’t feel engaged catching the ball with his body. You get the occasional splash plays, but I just don’t feel like he’s always engaged. You know, sometimes players just get tired of teams and environments.”
“There’s a lot of receivers on an annual basis from college to pro. I think DK is a really good player, explosive. Somebody would be interested. But that just feels like you could move off it and garner a good draft pick. And that draft pick you could use to move up.”
Cowherd added that the Seahawks are unlikely to be in the position to draft a quarterback early in the first round. However, if they get a good draft pick in return for Metcalf, they could use that to trade up and draft a quarterback.
He mentioned that Smith is the fourth-best quarterback in the NFC West, and that is never a good sign for a contending team. Metcalf is a difference-maker, and there will be teams around the league who could look to trade for him. The 26-year-old has 31 receptions for 469 yards and two touchdowns in four games this season. He is averaging 5.9 yards after the catch per reception, a career-high for him.
Metcalf’s Contract Details
Metcalf signed a three-year $72 million contract extension with the Seahawks in 2022. He only has one year left on his deal, and it might be the right time for the team to trade him. He is projected to earn $18 million next year.
As per Spotrac, the Seahawks could trade Metcalf after this season and take $21 million in dead cap. However, if they trade him during next season, they will take a cap hit of $31.87 million.
The Seahawks drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but due to the presence of Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, he has not had enough opportunities to showcase his talent.
Here is #Seahawks DK Metcalf frustrated in the first quarter:
[🎥NFL on CBS] pic.twitter.com/QXTDYokFp9— HawkMania (@hawkmania4) October 11, 2024
If Seattle parted ways with Metcalf and Lockett and drafted a quarterback along with another wide receiver, it would be good for head coach Mike Macdonald, who is still working with players brought in by the previous regime.
However, the main concern is next year’s draft class. So far, not a single quarterback has stood up and is projected to be a franchise-changing guy. This could tempt the Seahawks to continue with Smith for one more season, but the chances of Metcalf getting traded are still quite high.