While the big news of the day came around 4 p.m. Friday with Geno Smith getting traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, earlier Friday the DK Metcalf rumor mill continued to churn.
Friday’s rumblings included a sentiment from a reporter from the NFL Network that New England may be the favorite to acquire Metcalf, and a report that the reasons Metcalf wants out of Seattle are money, warmer weather and a more stable quarterback position.
Let’s examine each:
Is a trade to New England a foregone conclusion?
That was the view expressed by Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network during an appearance Friday on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN.
“Everybody is saying DK to New England,’’ Jeremiah said of the word he is hearing around the league. “Everybody in the league thinks that DK Metcalf is going to New England.’’
Elaborating on that thought, Jeremiah said: “DK becomes available and you just talk to a bunch of buddies around the league and they’re like ‘that just makes too much sense.’ They have all the money. They have all the space. They have no weapons. The high second-round pick.’’
Indeed, the Patriots have the resources to make a deal work.
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As of Friday afternoon, New England had just over $125 in available cap space, by far the most of any team in the NFL. The Chargers, also rumored to be interested in Metcalf, are next at just over $90 million.
And the Patriots have draft picks 4, 38, 69 and 77.
The Patriots wouldn’t seem likely to give up the fourth pick. But maybe the 38th and 77 would get it done from Seattle’s perspective.
The Patriots have needs all over their roster, but were particularly barren at receiver last season. Their leading receiver last season was tight end Hunter Henry with 66 catches for 674 yards (eight for 109 coming against Seattle).
The Patriots have also already been rumored as likely willing to spend big on a receiver in free agency, linked often to Chris Godwin of Tampa Bay.
But one report Friday splashed a lot of cold water on Jeremiah’s reporter.
Ben Belford-Peltzman of The Patriots Beat reported Friday afternoon that “The growing consensus is that the Patriots are unlikely to finalize a trade for Brandon Aiyuk or DK Metcalf’’ instead more likely to sign a free agent such as Godwin rather than trade picks.
Oh, and here’s one other issue — Metcalf has gone on record as saying he couldn’t see himself living in the Boston area.
Appearing on “The Casuals” podcast with Katie Nolan in January, Metcalf was asked about the possibility of ever playing in for the Patriots — Nolan is a self-described fan of all Boston sports.
“No,’’ he said, then added “it’s not a desirable place, in my opinion. Great organization, though.’’
Metcalf, though, does not have a no-trade clause, so while he has the leverage of a team likely not wanting to trade for him if he doesn’t want to go there, he can’t pick his team, the way Russell Wilson could in 2022.
And who knows if he could change his mind if the Patriots offered the moon.
If the Seahawks and Pats did pull off a trade for Metcalf it would be the second time. Seattle moved up in the draft in 2019 to get Metcalf by dealing the 77th and 118th overall picks to the Patriots for the 64th pick.
Seattle pulled off the trade quickly after seeing Metcalf was still on the board and deciding to try to get him.
The Patriots used those picks on edge rusher Chase Winovich, who played 56 games in the NFL from 2019-22 before retiring, and offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt, who has started every game at center the past two seasons for Arizona.
Metcalf’s reasons for wanting out explained?
Why Metcalf wants to be traded also remains somewhat a matter of differing thoughts.
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ESPN reported shortly after the news was revealed that Metcalf wants to play for a contender.
But Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Friday that Metcalf has other objectives as well, starting with money.
“He obviously wants to get paid,’’ Russini said. “He wants to play somewhere where it’s warm, is something I was told, warm weather. He wants a more stable quarterback situation. So these are things I think will play into some of the decisions here when we see if the Seahawks are able to really get what they want here.’’
Weather, of course, would seem to rule out the Patriots as well as Green Bay, another team that has been rumored as likely interested.
As for money, that’s undoubtedly a factor. Metcalf has been said to want $30 million a year. He’s currently making $24 million a season.
Schneider said in comments on Seattle Sports 710 Thursday the team is open to keeping Metcalf for the 2025 season.
Metcalf being allowed to pursue a trade and new contract could give each side a more realistic view of how his value is perceived around the league, and could in theory lead to Seattle and Metcalf getting back together in contract talks.
Russini also said word around the league is Seattle’s wish of a first- and third-round pick for Metcalf likely won’t happen.
“I don’t think they land on that,’’ she reported. “I just think that for right now that’s the asking price, so well see if they lower that to move their top receiver.’’
Seahawks tender tight end Russell
Seattle kept another potential free agent in the fold Friday by tendering exclusive rights free agent tight end Brady Russell. That means the Seahawks have secured his rights for the 2025 season.
Seattle also has Noah Fant and AJ Barner at tight end but Pharaoh Brown, who was in the team’s tight end rotation most of last season, is set to be a free agent next week.
Seattle has three other exclusive rights free agents it has yet to tender — linebacker Josh Ross, outside linebacker Joshua Onujiogu and receiver Cody White. Receiver/returner Jaelon Darden is also a restricted free agent.
All will become free agents on Wednesday if not tendered.
Bob Condotta: bcondotta@seattletimes.com. Bob Condotta covers the Seahawks for the Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout the year.