The free agent market is thin throughout the NFL, and the wide receiver position is no exception with Tee Higgins expected to be franchise-tagged by the Bengals.
While Stefon Diggs and Amari Cooper might be intriguing options for some teams, franchises looking for a younger game-changer will have to look at the trade market. Could DK Metcalf be one of the standout receivers made available?
The 27-year-old has three 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, but he saw his production dip a bit in 2024 due to nagging injuries and the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. If the Seahawks are ready to hand Smith-Njigba the keys and invest money elsewhere, a Metcalf trade could make sense.
Here are the latest rumors and potential landing spots for Metcalf.
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DK Metcalf trade rumors tracker
DK Metcalf requests trade
- Date: Mar. 5
- Source: NFL Network
Metcalf has requested a trade from the Seahawks, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported.
While it was reported Monday that Metcalf was not likely to be traded, he reportedly met with the Seahawks early Wednesday, and the two sides agreed to move forward with a trade. The news comes just after Seattle released Tyler Lockett, so the Seahawks’ receiving corps is set to be led by Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2025 and beyond.
Metcalf, meanwhile, becomes one of the top available players on the trade market and could bring back a haul with the free-agent receiving market thin.
Seahawks unlikely to trade Metcalf
- Date: Mar. 3
- Source: Jeff Howe, The Athletic
After a week of speculation, the Seahawks appear to be shutting down any rumors of a Metcalf trade. He is entering the final season of his three-year, $72 million deal, so there’s been speculation he could be traded, but the Seahawks have had three consecutive winning seasons and decided it was best to not part ways with one of their best talents.
Seattle and Metcalf will likely enter contract negotiations now and at any moment things could change but at the moment teams like the Patriots who are looking to add a star wideout, will have to focus their attention elsewhere.
Packers not currently in talks for Metcalf
- Date: Feb. 28
- Source: Matt Schneidman, The Athletic
Despite rumors Friday that the Packers were actively pursuing Metcalf, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman reports Green Bay has not had any contact with the Seahawks regarding a potential trade.
The Packers likely have to make an aggressive move to upgrade their wide receiver room this offseason, as they suffered without a true No. 1 wideout in 2024, but nothing appears imminent with Metcalf at the moment.
Raiders considered top landing spot for Metcalf
- Date: Feb. 28
- Source: MassLive
Many around the league believe Metcalf would land with the Raiders if the Seahawks decided to trade him, MassLive reported Friday.
There is one clear connection between Metcalf and the Raiders: Pete Carroll. Metcalf spent his first five seasons under Carroll, so the fit would be natural despite Las Vegas not having a clear answer at quarterback entering March.
After trading a disgruntled Davante Adams in October, the Raiders have a clear need for a No. 1 receiver.
Mike Macdonald insists Metcalf is ‘focal point’ of Seahawks’ offense
- Date: Feb. 27
- Source: Mike Macdonald
Despite swirling rumors, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald called Metcalf “a focal point” of the team’s offense at the NFL Combine.
‘We want to get the ball to DK,” Macdonald said when asked about the receiver’s more limited usage late last season. While Macdonald was complimentary of Smith-Njigba’s development as well, he didn’t sound like someone ready to move on from Metcalf just yet.
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DK Metcalf landing spots
Las Vegas Raiders
The Carroll connection makes the Raiders a top landing spot for Metcalf, particularly with such a need for a No. 1 wide receiver in Las Vegas.
Whether Metcalf’s familiarity with Carroll would outweigh the Raiders’ quarterback issues is the burning question. After missing out on Matthew Stafford, is Las Vegas going to pursue Russell Wilson? Metcalf spent the first three seasons of his career with Wilson, so that would add another layer of familiarity.
New England Patriots
The Patriots make sense for just about any wide receiver available. New England doesn’t have anything close to a legitimate No. 1 wideout, but it does have an NFL-leading $128 million in cap space.
Should Metcalf become available, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Patriots insert themselves into the sweepstakes as they try to build around Drake Maye.
Green Bay Packers
Even if they haven’t launched a pursuit of Metcalf, the Packers make sense for just about any standout receiver on the trade market. Green Bay is looking for a receiver who can lead a room with talented young pass-catchers but no clear-cut No. 1 option.
The Packers have more than $40 million in cap space available, so there is some wiggle room to add a contract as sizable as Metcalf’s.
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