As trade rumors heat up, one intriguing possibility involves the Seattle Seahawks moving star wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Los Angeles Chargers. This trade could significantly impact both teams and reshape their strategies for the 2025 NFL season.
Should Chargers Power Up With the Electric D.K. Metcalf?
In his article on the one trade every NFL team should make in the 2025 NFL offseason, Sterling Xie proposed the run-heavy Chargers make a move for Seahawks star DK Metcalf. The two-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his rookie contract extension and has a cap hit of almost $32 million in 2025, the second-largest on Seattle’s roster behind Geno Smith.
If the Seahawks trade Metcalf, they would take on a cap hit of $21 million, saving almost $11 million. Seattle has the fifth least cap space in the league, sitting $7 million over the cap. Metcalf was second on the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, behind 23-year-old Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who’s set to have a cap hit of only $3.9 million in 2025.
The Chargers wouldn’t be the only team interested in Metcalf. Seahawks reporter Corbin Smith believes the Green Bay Packers might have the package necessary to land the physically gifted receiver.
Meanwhile, Metcalf’s high-priced teammates, Geno Smith and Tyler Lockett, could also be on the move. The Sporting News predicts Seattle will move on from Geno Smith in favor of Aaron Rodgers, while Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport believes Lockett could be a trade candidate for the cap-strapped Buffalo Bills. The speculation signals a shift in Seattle as second-year head coach Mike Macdonald looks to put his stamp on the franchise.
Why A Trade For Metcalf Makes Sense for the Chargers
The Chargers offense ranked 17th in PFSN’s 2024 rankings, earning a C grade. Justin Herbert threw only three interceptions against 23 touchdowns while receiving votes for MVP and Comeback Player of the Year. His 0.6% interception rate led the NFL.
His go-to target was 2024 second-round pick Ladd McConkey, who led the squad with 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns, earning votes for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The former Georgia Bulldog also had a catch percentage of 73.2%, and quarterbacks had a rating of 123 when targeting him.
2023’s first-round pick, Quentin Johnston, improved across every key metric in his second season and led the team in receiving touchdowns. His success rate and catch percentage aren’t great, but passers posted a 109 QB rating when targeting the TCU product.
Metcalf would upgrade the Chargers’ receiving corps, giving Justin Herbert a potent weapon on the outside. As Xie mentioned in his article, Herbert threw just 49% of his passes outside the numbers, his lowest since 2020. Metcalf would open up the outside for Herbert, while giving McConkey even more opportunities in the slot.
The Chargers are among the few teams that could accommodate Metcalf’s salary, ranking sixth with over $66 million in cap room. Bringing Metcalf on could take some of the pressure off Johnston and provide him guidance as he continues to develop.
At 27 years old, Metcalf still has prime years ahead of him. His combination of size, speed, and playmaking ability makes him a constant threat to defenses. Since entering the league in 2019, Metcalf has been one of the top deep threats in the NFL, capable of turning a game on a dime with one big play.
What Would The Chargers Have To Give Up?
The Houston Texans’ trade for then-Buffalo Bills wideout Stefon Diggs in 2024 could serve as a reasonable comparison. In that trade, Houston received Diggs, along with a fifth and a sixth-round pick, from Buffalo for a second-round pick.
Metcalf could potentially command a higher price since he’s younger than Diggs was, but his larger contract and shorter team control would likely reduce the return for Seattle.
For the up-and-coming Chargers, acquiring Metcalf would reinforce their win-now mentality and maximize Herbert’s talents.
For the transitioning Seahawks, trading Metcalf would free up cap space and acquire valuable draft capital, signaling a shift toward rebuilding or retooling the roster around younger, cost-controlled players.