His first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers was a bit of a disappointment based on expectations, but all signs point to WR DK Metcalf being a vital part of the offense under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy in both 2026, and beyond.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano doesn’t see it that way, though.
Graziano somehow believes Metcalf is a trade candidate this offseason, all while pushing the narrative that Metcalf’s contract isn’t guaranteed moving forward after his two-game suspension. This despite a report from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer that the Steelers didn’t void the guarantees.
Graziano ranked Metcalf as the No. 6 trade candidate this offseason, between Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown and Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray.
“When he signed his deal last spring, Metcalf’s $25 million in 2026 salary was fully guaranteed. But his two-game suspension at the end of the season for an in-game altercation with a fan voided that guarantee and could in turn make Metcalf easier to trade, if the Steelers are so inclined,” Graziano writes. “They’ll be installing a new offense under new coach Mike McCarthy, and while dealing Metcalf would weaken them at a spot where they’re already thin, the wideout could end up on the market if he’s not a fit for the scheme.”
Yes, the altercation with the Detroit Lions fan in Week 16 that led to his two-game suspension was ugly. But the Steelers stood behind him, with both teammates and the front office supporting him. The incident was ill-advised and now has Metcalf embroiled in a lawsuit with the Lions fan.
The Steelers’ coaching staff also underwent significant changes this offseason with Mike Tomlin stepping down and Mike McCarthy entering the fray as the new head coach. Metcalf will work under new wide receivers coach Adam Henry, too. So, he has to learn a new scheme and a new coaching staff. But he’s not on the hot seat as far as a trade candidate.
According to Steelers Depot’s Dave Bryan, the Steelers would save just $7 million in 2026 cap space if Metcalf were to be traded prior to June 1.
That’s just ridiculous, but it’s par for the course with Graziano when it comes to talking about the Steelers.
GM Omar Khan stated Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Steelers weren’t good enough at wide receiver last year and that they need to correct the issue — and quickly. Trading your No. 1 weapon, one you just gave a huge contract to last offseason, isn’t solving that issue.
For what it’s worth, Graziano gave a Metcalf trade a 25% chance of happening and listed the Patriots and Bills as potential landing spots for him. The Patriots tried trading for Metcalf last offseason before he chose the Steelers, blocking a move to New England.
He’s not going anywhere anytime soon. He’s still under 30 years old, affordable and flashed the ability last season to be that dominant No. 1 receiver the Steelers envisioned when they acquired him. He’ll get a chance to show that in the first year under McCarthy.
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