Oct 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, left, talks with wide receiver DK Metcalf, right during in pregame warmups against the Buffalo Bills at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

ESPN scoop says DK Metcalf requested trade several times from Seahawks

Originally posted on Seattle Seahawks on SI
By Matt Urben | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 1:43 PM ET

The Seattle Seahawks moved on from one of the faces of their franchise at the start of the new league year, trading wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a second-round draft pick.

The move was a surprise to many as Metcalf has been among the NFL's most consistent receivers since entering the league as a second-round draft pick in 2019. Seattle shipped out the 27-year-old shortly after his reported trade request.

A new feature from ESPN suggested Metcalf actually requested a trade multiple times before the team granted his wish and dealt him to Pittsburgh.

"According to team sources, the star receiver had requested trades multiple times in recent offseasons," wrote ESPN's Brady Henderson. "The Seahawks didn't plan on trading him at the start of the offseason, but they had to weigh Metcalf's prolonged unhappiness in addition to the inherent risk of signing a player to a massive third contract."

While most assumed Metcalf was fed up with the team's other moves, the fact that he's been asking for a trade for the last few offseasons is a bit of a shock. Since he's still in his physical prime, it makes sense that Metcalf would want to secure a long-term contract before his skills start to diminish.

Trading Metcalf may have been inevitable, but you have to wonder if the team could have received a bigger return. According to ESPN, the big-play wideout preferred a trade to the Houston Texans or Los Angeles Chargers.

Both AFC powerhouses have franchise quarterbacks and young cores. The Steelers are a talented team but they have serous questions at quarterback and another disgruntled receiver in George Pickens.

The Seahawks have since replaced Metcalf with former Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, and many expect the team to add another weapon in the 2025 NFL draft.