The 2025 NFL season was a memorable one for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf.
It was hist first with his new team after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks last offseason, and it was his first as a $132 million wide receiver - the fourth-largest contract ever given to an NFL WR until Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed his $168.6 million extension with the Seahawks on Tuesday.
It was also memorable because of an ugly incident that happened with a Detroit Lions fan that brought about a two-game suspension for Metcalf that nearly cost the Steelers a shot at the postseason.
During Pittsburgh's 29-24 Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions, cameras caught Metcalf taking a swing at a Lions fans who had been heckling him. Reports surfaced that the fan, Ryan Kennedy, had a history of antagonizing Metcalf during his days in Seattle.
It was also reported that Kennedy made derogatory remarks about Metcalf's mom and called the receiver a racial slur, which brought about his heated reaction.
No flag was thrown during the incident since it happened on the sideline away from the play, so Metcalf was able to finish the game. But if one proposed NFL rule change goes through for next season, Metcalf wouldn't have been as fortunate.
"By Competition Committee; to allow League personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field," the proposed NFL rule change reads.
If the proposition, which is one of five new rule changes being considered, is approved, Metcalf would've almost certainly been ejected for his actions and not allowed to finish the game.
The new rule wouldn't be exclusive only to situations like Metcalf was involved in either. Sideline fights like the one involving former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel and former 49ers kicker Jake Moody would also be subject to the new rule.
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