DK Metcalf
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ESPN's Brady Henderson reported Saturday that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf "effectively nixed" a trade to the New England Patriots this offseason.
The Seattle Seahawks traded wide receiver DK Metcalf to the franchise that they lost their first Super Bowl to almost 20 years ago. But before that deal happened, an AFC foe the Seahawks lost a different Super Bowl to were trying to acquire Metcalf.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported Saturday the New England Patriots were suitors for Metcalf. However, Metcalf wouldn’t sign a contract extension with the Patriots, which made a trade to New England impossible for Seattle.
“According to sources familiar with the situation, Metcalf effectively nixed a trade to New England, making it known that he wouldn’t sign an extension with the Patriots; his preferred landing spots were the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers,” wrote Henderson.
Ultimately, he didn’t land with any of those three teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers sent the No. 52 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft to Seattle for Metcalf.
After the trade, the Steelers signed Metcalf to a four-year, $132 million contract.
Patriots Unable to Acquire WR DK Metcalf
Similar to Pittsburgh, receiver has been an obvious weakness for the Patriots over the last few years. And just like the Steelers, the Patriots turned to a blockbuster offseason trade to help fix the issue.
Henderson reported Metcalf “asked to be traded multiple times” over recent offseasons. With one year remaining on his first contract extension with the Seahawks, this March became an obvious time for Seattle to part with the veteran wideout.
But if Metcalf wouldn’t sign an extension with a particular team, that was going to rule them out as a suitor.
Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells lamented New England’s difficulty in acquiring a top receiver on the trade market after Henderson’s report Saturday.
“New England’s failed pursuit of Metcalf marks the second consecutive offseason that a receiver has spurned the club,” wrote Wells.
“When Brandon Aiyuk was going through his contract turmoil with the San Francisco 49ers, he rejected a trade to the Patriots prior to the start of the 2024 season even though they were willing to offer him a deal worth $32 million annually.”
The Steelers weren’t able to acquire Brandon Aiyuk last summer either. Right before completing a trade for Aiyuk, the receiver elected to sign an extension to stay with the San Francisco 49ers.
But the Steelers upgraded their receiving corps with Metcalf in March. After missing on Metcalf, the Patriots signed veteran wideout Stefon Diggs in free agency.
Metcalf Set to Face Former Team in Week 2
The Metcalf trade and other hypothetical destinations are a storyline entering the second week of the 2025 NFL season because the Steelers will host the Seahawks for their home opener Sunday.
It’s a potential grudge match for Metcalf, but the receiver stressed to reporters this week that he doesn’t see it that way.
“Y’all are going to make it a big deal,” Metcalf told reporters. “I’m not.
“It’s just another football game.”
The 27-year-old played the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Seahawks. During his tenure, he earned two Pro Bowl nominations and made second-team All-Pro in 2020.
Metcalf averaged 73 catches, 1,054 receiving yards and eight touchdowns while posting 14.4 yards per reception per season.
During his Steelers debut last week, Metcalf registered four catches for 83 yards.
Henderson also reported Saturday that Metcalf’s preferred trade destinations were the Los Angeles Chargers or Houston Texans. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Chargers pursued a trade for Metcalf during the 2024 offseason.
However, it’s not clear if the Chargers or Texans tried to acquire Metcalf this past March.