DK Metcalf 'never thought' Russell Wilson would leave Seahawks

Once the trade of quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos became official at the start of the new league, Seahawks chair Jody Allen delivered a message to fans in a statement that included the phrase: "Russell made it clear he wanted this change." 

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll seemed to confirm that earlier this week when he explained he had "no intention of making a move at all while guys were under contract" but later added "until it wasn't meaningful anymore to stick with that" regarding the one-time Super Bowl champion signal-caller. 

Seattle star wide receiver DK Metcalf gave his side of the story during a recent appearance on Kevin Garnett’s "KG Certified" show and left little question that he didn't see the blockbuster transaction coming.

"I was just in shock because I didn’t think it was going to happen," Metcalf said, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I was very shocked because I never thought he was going to leave Seattle." 

As part of Seattle's rebuild/roster retooling, the team also cut ties with All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, who could end up signing with the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. 

"My mind was like, alright, Russ gone. What do I do? Later that night, Bobby gets cut. And me and Bobby were (close). That was my guy. And when he left that really hurt," Metcalf continued, according to Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "We would work out every Tuesday. I would go over to his crib. We would play pool. That was my big brother. And he's gone now. He taught me a lot, and I know I'm going to take that to the next season and the rest of my years in the NFL. But he was like a real big brother to me ... just for him to get cut like that. He didn't do anything wrong. A perfect professional that you'd want to have for any organization."

Metcalf, about to enter his fourth season with the Seahawks and in the league, also declared that "it's time for me to step up and be a leader." 

As things currently stand, Metcalf will catch passes thrown by either 2019 second-round draft pick Drew Lock or 2020 fourth-round selection Jacob Eason come September, but that could change this spring or summer.