DK Metcalf during a game.
With NFL free agency approaching, just about anything is possible. Some of that has already been seen with trades taking place around the league. Could the Pittsburgh Steelers be next?
The Steelers were aggressive in the trade market last offseason, with none more notable than their deal with the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Metcalf was traded to Pittsburgh in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 52) and a seventh-round pick (No. 223) in the 2025 NFL Draft. Seattle also sent Pittsburgh a sixth-round pick (No. 185) in that same draft.
Shortly after the deal, Metcalf signed a new four-year contract with the Steelers worth $132 million that included a $30 million signing bonus and $60 million guaranteed, according to Spotrac.
That move came under former head coach Mike Tomlin. Now, with Mike McCarthy leading the franchise, roster decisions could look different moving forward. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon recently floated Metcalf as a potential surprise trade candidate.
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The idea may sound unlikely on the surface considering how recently the Steelers acquired Metcalf and committed to him financially.
Gagnon pointed out that Pittsburgh just traded for the veteran receiver and then gave him a massive extension before moving on from former top wideout George Pickens, which would make turning around and trading Metcalf now a shocking move.
Still, there are reasons the idea has surfaced.
Gagnon noted that Metcalf did not quite dominate during his first season in Pittsburgh, finishing with just 59 receptions — his lowest total since his rookie year — along with six touchdowns.
He also argued that the numbers may suggest Metcalf’s best seasons are behind him. During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Metcalf scored 22 touchdowns combined. Over the four seasons since then, he has reached the end zone just 25 times.
Another factor is the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Aaron Rodgers. If the veteran ultimately decides not to return for the 2026 season, Pittsburgh could find itself entering a reset while searching for a long-term quarterback under McCarthy.
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If the Steelers were to explore a deal, Gagnon believes there would be several interested teams.
He listed the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders as potential suitors.
In that scenario, Gagnon believes Pittsburgh could potentially receive multiple Day 2 draft picks in return.
Of course, there are also reasons why a trade may not happen.
Gagnon noted that Rodgers is still more likely than not to return for another season. If that happens, the Steelers would likely keep Metcalf in place as one of the focal points of their offense.
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There is also the financial side to consider. A pre-June 1 trade would only create about $7 million in salary-cap savings, which may not be enough incentive for Pittsburgh to move on so quickly.
Metcalf will enter the 2026 season in the eighth year of his career. Before last season, he had recorded at least 900 receiving yards in every year of his career and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark three times.
However, his first year in Pittsburgh did mark a statistical drop-off. Metcalf finished with 850 receiving yards and 59 receptions — only the second time in his career he has finished with fewer than 60 catches.
That alone does not mean the Steelers are looking to move him. But as free agency approaches and trade speculation begins to swirl around the league, it does help explain why his name has surfaced as a potential surprise candidate.