For Pittsburgh Steelers fans banging the table for wide receiver help, the wait is finally over. Just one day before the free agency negotiation period begins, the Steelers have executed a trade for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf.
NFL Insider Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports Pittsburgh is sending a 2025 second-round pick to Seattle in exchange for the two-time Pro Bowl receiver. Along with the trade, the Steelers are inking Metcalf to a lucrative five-year, $150 million extension.
Metcalf's $30 million per year in new money average ties him with Tyreek Hill and Brandon Aiyuk for the fourth-largest annual earnings at the receiver position in the NFL. Just before the trade, the Seahawks were reportedly seeking a first- and third-round pick in exchange for the talented wide receiver.
Pittsburgh Steelers trade for Seattle Seahawks star DK Metcalf is the real first step toward change
When Mike Tomlin once again insisted that big changes were coming during the offseason, I'm not sure that anyone expected this. Pittsburgh's wide receiver position was a mess in 2024, but most NFL analysts and fans expected the team to rebuild the position through the draft (like they always do).
Still, Metcalf's name was brought up in trade discussions, and the Steelers weren't about to let another opportunity to land a playmaking wide receiver pass them by.
Instead, the Steelers pulled off a blockbuster trade for one of the league's best downfield wide receivers. In 15 games last season, Metcalf earned 992 receiving yards and five touchdowns. However, the star receiver has averaged over 1,000 yards per season in his first six years in the NFL while combining for 48 touchdowns.
The trade for Metcalf instantly raises questions about the future of Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. After giving up a second-round pick for Metcalf and turning around to pay him $30 million per season, Pickens won't likely see an extension.
Additionally, Pickens and Metcalf overlap in terms of their roles as downfield threats who can put their foot in the ground and box defenders out. Fans have to wonder whether the Steelers will look to trade Pickens to recoup the lost draft capital in the trade or if they will let him play out the final year of his contract in 2025.
This was the splash move the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to make if they wanted to get serious about improving their offense. Now whoever ends up being the starting quarterback for this team will already be set up for success.