Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf requested a trade before the team sent quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. While Seattle is still hopeful it can convince Metcalf to stay, there’s a clear trade market emerging for the Pro Bowl wide receiver.
Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, is just entering his prime having turned 27 years old in December. The 6-foot-4 wideout is seeking a new contract, a multi-year extension worth $30-plus million annually that would make him one of the highest-paid players at his position.
While NFL rumors surfaced on Saturday that the Seahawks front office is hopeful that signing Sam Darnold might convince Metcalf to stay, the All-Pro wideout still has permission to explore other options. In the days since making his trade request, a robust market has emerged.
The Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers have all been linked to Metcalf. As of now, though, many around the league seem to share the same belief regarding what team will come out on top of a bidding war for him.
During a Friday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com shared that many around the league believe Metcalf will be traded to the New England Patriots ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Everybody in the league thinks that DK Metcalf is going to New England. DK becomes available and you just talk to a bunch of buddies around the league. They’re like, ‘This just makes too much sense. They have all the money. They have all the space. They need a weapon.’ What are they picking, 38 or something like that? So second-round pick for DK Metcalf.
DK Metcalf stats (ESPN): 66 receptions, 992 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns in 15 games
New England wanted to sign Tee Higgins in NFL free agency, but he received the franchise tag from the Cincinnati Bengals for the second consecutive year. Chris Godwin is a pending free agent, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are adamant about signing him and few inside the Patriots’ organization think they can land him.
With more than $120 million in cap space, New England has the money to make Metcalf one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. Furthermore, the team feels confident it has a franchise-caliber quarterback in Drake Maye who would be appealing to Metcalf.
While the Patriots aren’t viewed as a contender right now, something Metcalf wants, money goes a long way. New England could also convince the 27-year-old that they are close to a turnaround, which he could be a part of while getting paid like one of the best offensive weapons in football. If the Seahawks ultimately trade Metcalf, the odds are strongly in the Patriots’ favor to land him.
