Steelers’ signing of D.K. Metcalf is highly improbable
Social media was buzzing after a report link was placed on Twitter on April 3, 2022 that the Pittsburgh Steelers could get veteran wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, if they were interested in doing so. This is the time of year for wild speculation driven by a need for sports media to get those clicks and conversations generated ahead of the NFL Draft, so it’s not surprising that such a suggestion came up. The Steelers lost well-known receivers through free agency, so a lot of thought between fans and analysts is surrounding potential needs for the team. Here are four reasons it’s highly improbable that the Steelers even consider signing Metcalf, though.
Metcalf isn’t a free agent
The Seattle Seahawks have not expressed interest in trading Metcalf who will not be a free agent until 2023. Metcalf is currently playing on a four-year, $82.6 million deal. His average annual salary is $20 million per Spotrac.
With the Seahawks looking to rebuild their offense without Russell Wilson at quarterback, they’re unlikely to trade away Metcalf who has been a major contributor along side Tyler Lockett. Seattle uses an 11 personnel package on offense, almost exclusively, which places a high emphasis on wide receivers.
Metcalf appears all-in on Lock
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll is putting his cards into the Drew Lock as the starting quarterback pile, and by all appearances Metcalf is as well.
Let’s chill on the Drew Lock slander
— DeKaylin Metcalf (@dkm14) March 18, 2022
The Steelers certainly don’t have everything figured out at quarterback despite signing Mitchell Trubisky to compete with Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. Whether Metcalf has as much faith in them as he does in Lock is an unknown.
The Steelers offense is also in a bit of a rebuild mode. For veteran receivers, that fact may not be enough to entice them to make a move, even if their current team has a bigger say in whether a trade occurs or not. Toss in offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s alleged new scheme for 2022 and Metcalf may not even be the type of receiver that’d fit.
A costly contract expectation
Metcalf has one Pro Bowl appearance in his three-year career and is coming off of a season that saw him grab 12 touchdowns despite Wilson missing playing time due to injury. At 24 years of age, Metcalf is a tall, athletic All-Pro target that most offenses would enjoy employing. Saying that, though, indicates that his expectations regarding a contract are likely more costly than what Pittsburgh has banked.
Pittsburgh could have re-signed JuJu Smith-Schuster had they opted to, likely for the $10.75 million he received from the Kansas City Chiefs (one-year deal). They opted to allow him, and fellow receiver/returner Ray-Ray McCloud, walk, however.
Metcalf is estimated to have a contract expectation similar to Tyreek Hill; Hill got a four-year deal worth $120 million with $72.2 million guaranteed by the Miami Dolphins. In exchange, Kansas City received a first-, secind-, and fourth-round pick in this year’s upcoming NFL Draft. The Chiefs also received a fourth- and sixth-round pick in next year’s draft.
The Steelers currently have Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson on their starting roster. Cody White and Anthony Miller are in the wings, now, as backups. Although Claypool and Johnson have the ability to play in the slot, Metcalf isn’t a true slot receiver and the cost to bring him in may be less attractive than what Pittsburgh has planned for the future.
Better options with draft capital?
Kevin Colbert, who is remaining in the general manager position until after the draft, has indicated that the Steelers organization has placed a priority on their draft capital. That makes a trade for Metcalf a high-risk offering if Colbert is to be believed.
In all likelihood, Pittsburgh would lose their pick (20th) in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to make the deal happen and at least another one-to-two picks between 2022 and 2023. With this year’s draft expected to be loaded with talent, however, the possibility of drafting the next long-term, highlight-reel receiver may be too strong to overturn with a Metcalf deal.
The Steelers have reportedly been highly focused on improving their competitiveness on offense via the draft after bolstering the defense through free agency. Reports of visits have included several potential receivers that are likely already on Pittsburgh’s big board.
Ultimately, a trade by the Steelers for Metcalf is highly improbable for 2022. For the potential cost of Metcalf’s contract, Pittsburgh could address many questions across their roster, not just receiver, by utilizing their draft picks and signing the players they select.
It was a long-shot, at best, that the Steelers would gamble, at this point, to bring Metcalf or any receiver into Pittsburgh who’d cost more than Smith-Schuster – a guy they knew, who knew their system – would have to just re-sign. All signs point at the Steelers making noise with their draft picks, instead.
