Pete Carroll: Potential DK Metcalf Contract Extension 'Really Important' to Seahawks
May 2, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 02: DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks carries the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Lumen Field on January 02, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf is arguably the team's most important player, and head coach Pete Carroll hopes he stays put for years to come.
Carroll recently stressed the significance of the Seahawks getting a contract extension done for the fourth-year wideout.
"It’s really important to us," Carroll said of a potential extension for Metcalf, per The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar. "We’ll kick it into [general manager John Schneider's] court here in the weeks to come after the draft."
Carroll also suggested that the Seahawks have already been in contact with Metcalf regarding a potential extension.
"We’re really communicating great and DK, we’ve been on a great wavelength to move forward," Carroll said. "Hopefully this will all work out. We don’t plan on him going anywhere. We want him to be with us."
The Seahawks landed Metcalf with a second-round pick in the 2019 draft. The Ole Miss product quickly developed into a productive weapon in Seattle's offense. He's finished with at least 900 receiving yards in each of his three seasons.
In 2021, Metcalf posted 75 receptions for 967 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns. He also led the Seahawks with 129 targets, as he was quarterback Russell Wilson's favorite option on the outside.
But Seattle is a team in transition after trading Wilson to the Denver Broncos. The Seahawks also parted ways with longtime All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams after getting released. The team is likely in for a rebuild in the 2022 season.
Metcalf has been the subject of trade speculation throughout the offseason because of the large extension he was already expected to command. With the booming wide receiver market this offseason, it can be expected that Metcalf will not give the Seahawks a home-team discount.
Baker Mayfield, Jimmy Garoppolo's Best Landing Spots After 2022 NFL Draft
May 1, 2022
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 03: Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks deep in the end zone for a receiver in the fourth quarter during the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns on January 03, 2022 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Now that the 2022 NFL draft is officially in the books, the biggest questions left to be answered this offseason involve the eventual landing spots for Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo.
Even though both quarterbacks would probably have liked an answer by now, there could be plenty of suitors as we get closer to the start of training camp. It also would seem to benefit them that the incoming crop of rookie quarterbacks seemed to be regarded much lower than even pre-draft prognosticators believed.
This quarterback class was widely regarded as one of the weakest in recent memory going into the draft. As it turns out, Kenny Pickett was the only one taken in the first two rounds when the Pittsburgh Steelers took him at pick No. 20.
Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons), Malik Willis (Tennessee Titans) and Matt Corral (Carolina Panthers) didn't even get selected until round three. Per ESPN Stats & Info, this is the third time in the past 30 years only one quarterback was selected in the first two rounds.
Given the limited enthusiasm for what this rookie class can do in 2022, Mayfield and Garoppolo could be attractive trade options in the coming months.
Garoppolo's situation is more complicated right now. He had shoulder surgery in March, and it's unclear when he will be cleared to do football activities. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo (h/t NFL.com's Nick Shook) reported the plan is for him to be throwing "well ahead" of training camp.
Mayfield also had surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder that he injured during the 2021 season. ESPN's Jake Trotter reported he is expected to be cleared before training camp.
Both players have one year remaining on their current contracts. Their salaries could present a problem for interested teams.
Per ESPN's David Newton, the Panthers and Cleveland Browns were talking about a trade involving Mayfield during Day 2 of the NFL draft on Friday. Those discussions broke down when the teams couldn't agree on how much of Mayfield's $18.9 million salary Cleveland would pick up.
The Panthers ultimately acquired the 94th overall pick from the New England Patriots via trade to select Corral.
Despite how things reportedly broke down between the Panthers and Browns over Mayfield's salary, it's still hard to fathom that Carolina will enter the 2022 season with Sam Darnold and Corral as its top two quarterbacks.
Darnold has thrown for 18 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in the past two seasons combined.
B/R's Nate Tice wrote in his scouting report for Corral that he "needs a lot of work with timing, anticipation and the true quarterback processes" before being ready to play in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Garoppolo is owed $24.2 million this season. He also has a $26.95 million cap hit.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports wrote on Thursday he believes Garoppolo could end up with the Panthers eventually.
"I don't get the impression anyone in Charlotte is pressed to bring Mayfield on right now (he was never getting traded before the draft), and I don't believe the Panthers view him as a personality fit in the locker room over Garoppolo," Jones said.
The Panthers do have the most available cap space in the NFL ($30.9 million), so they could bring in either Mayfield or Garoppolo at their full salary if they wanted.
Neither the Browns nor San Francisco 49ers are operating from a position of leverage. Mayfield has made it clear he wants out of Cleveland, and the team's acquisition of Deshaun Watson would seem to increase the urgency to move on.
If the Panthers want either player, they are playing this very wisely by not making a rash decision. There will come a point when San Francisco or Cleveland blinks on its trade demands, and a deal comes together.
Another potential option for either quarterback could be the Seattle Seahawks, though there could be hurdles to making that happen.
At the very least, head coach Pete Carroll isn't anticipating anything happening quickly if the Seahawks do trade for a veteran:
Pete Carroll on the NFL Network, asked about adding another QB, gives the standard response that "we're always looking.'' But asked if a QB would be added by end of the weekend says "nothing's going to change that quick now. Happy with the guys we've got.''
After acquiring Drew Lock from the Denver Broncos as part of the Russell Wilson trade, conventional wisdom suggested that Seattle would pursue a quarterback at some point in the draft.
The Seahawks certainly had plenty of chances to do that. They made three picks on Day 2 of the draft before the second quarterback of the draft came off the board, but they elected to go in different directions.
Seattle would need the Browns to eat some of Mayfield's salary to fit him under the cap. The team currently has $12.9 million in cap space.
It doesn't sound like Seattle is eager to bring in Mayfield, based on a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:
According to @rapsheet, the Seahawks’ interest in Baker Mayfield was “lukewarm at best” because of his fit in their system.
Garoppolo could be difficult for the Seahawks to acquire in a trade because it seems unlikely the 49ers would want to give a division rival a starting quarterback.
Perhaps we should start believing Pete Carroll when he said the Seahawks "loved" Drew Lock when he was available in the 2019 NFL draft.
Seahawks' Coby Bryant: It's a 'Privilege' to Be Named After Lakers Icon Kobe Bryant
Apr 30, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 05: Cincinnati defensive back Coby Bryant answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 5, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
New Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant says being named after late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant does not put any added pressure on him as he embarks on his NFL career.
"Not really pressure, more of a privilege, honestly," Bryant told reporters after being drafted in the fourth round Saturday. "It just means I have to work twice as hard to live up to that name and set a name for myself as well too and, most importantly, represent him as well as I can."
Bryant was part of the nation's best lockdown tandem at cornerback with Sauce Gardner the past two seasons. A first-team All-AAC selection each of the last two seasons, Bryant also brought home the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back in 2021.
Bryant wore No. 8 last season at Cincinnati to honor his namesake, who died in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
"My parents loved Kobe Bryant and everything he brought to the table, not only as an athlete but as a human being himself and how he carried himself," Bryant said. "So that's somebody that they ultimately knew right away that that was somebody they wanted to name me after."
While Bryant went three rounds after his Bearcats teammate, he's going into a situation that could be perfect for his skill set. Seattle has made a habit of plucking cornerbacks out of the middle of the draft and turning them into stars.
Charles Cross Drafted by Seahawks: Seattle's Updated Depth Chart After Round 1
Apr 29, 2022
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 03: Charles Cross #67 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in action against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a game at Davis Wade Stadium on October 03, 2020 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks used the No. 9 pick of the 2022 NFL draft on Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross.
The tackle easily lived up to expectations after joining the program as a 5-star recruit in the 2019 class. Cross was named first-team All-SEC in 2021 as a redshirt sophomore, one year after he was named Freshman All-SEC by the league's coaches.
The skill set also translates to the NFL thanks to his size (6'5", 307 lbs) and strength to compete in the trenches.
"Cross has the rare combination of being an explosive and smooth mover with tremendous balance to consistently stay on his feet and in front of defenders," B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn wrote.
Bleacher Report's Scouting Department ranked Cross as the No. 13 overall player in the class and third-best offensive tackle.
The tackle is still relatively raw with just two full seasons of collegiate game action, while the Mississippi State offense is also mostly one-dimensional as a pass-heavy system. It creates some question marks for Cross, although his upside is extremely high.
If he lives up to expectations, he could provide a huge boost on his new team's offensive line.
This could be extremely valuable for a squad that allowed the eighth-most sacks in the NFL last season. The Seahawks finished 7-10 and could have a long year after trading away Russell Wilson, but the latest upgrade could help turn things around regardless of who is under center.
DK Metcalf Rumors: Seahawks WR Expected to Participate in Offseason Program
Apr 16, 2022
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL Professional Football Game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, who has been the subject of recent trade rumors, is expected to participate in the team's offseason program, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
"There has been much discussion of Metcalf’s future with the team now that he is eligible for a contract extension. But there are no indications that he would not show up for the program, as some players aiming for new deals have done," Condotta wrote Friday.
The team's nine-week offseason program is kicking off Tuesday, and players are expected to begin arriving in Seattle on Monday.
Last month, Seahawks general manager John Schneider told reporters it was the team's "intent" to extend Metcalf.
However, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on SportsCenter on April 3 that Metcalf could be had "at the right price" despite the Seahawks saying he's not available.
The 24-year-old Metcalf, who had 75 catches for 967 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
With Davante Adams getting a five-year, $141 million contract from the Las Vegas Raiders and the Miami Dolphins giving Tyreek Hill $120 million over four years this offseason, Seattle is likely going to have to break the bank for a player of Metcalf's caliber.
But head coach Pete Carroll made it clear the Seahawks want to get something done.
Pete Carroll says on @933KJR Seahawks will try hard to re-sign DK Metcalf before 2022 season begins: "It's really important to us. We love him. He maybe will go down as one of the great draft picks we've ever had here.
"We are going to do everything we can to get it done."
The team is in rebuilding mode after trading quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos and parting ways with longtime linebacker Bobby Wagner in a cap-saving move, but they would be wise to retain Metcalf as part of their future core.
The 24-year-old wide receiver has averaged 72 catches, 1,056 yards and 10 touchdowns over three seasons.
For now, the Seahawks are entering their offseason looking for brighter days after finishing last in the NFC West with a 7-10 record.
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Seattle Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option in tight end Noah Fant's contract Tuesday, tying him to the organization through the 2023 season.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Fant is the first player from the 2019 NFL draft class to have his option picked up.
Despite not being drafted by the Seahawks, he is the first player in franchise history to have his fifth-year rookie option picked up.
The option will guarantee Fant around $6.9 million for the 2023 season. Seattle acquired Fant from the Broncos as part of the trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver last month.
While he hasn't emerged as a Pro Bowler through three seasons, Fant has recorded at least 60 receptions and 670 yards through the air each of the last two seasons. He set career highs with 68 receptions and four touchdowns in 2021.
Pro Football Focus was a little less kind with its grading than Fant's counting stats, giving him a 61.6 grade. He was considered backup quality or worse in two of his three NFL seasons.
It's unclear whether Fant's production will ever match his physical skills, but the Seahawks were pressed against a corner in terms of picking up his option. The team couldn't exactly cut bait one season after acquiring Fant in a deal that saw them trade arguably the best player in franchise history.
DK Metcalf Trade Rumors: Seahawks Likely Want 2 1st-Round Picks to Move Star WR
Apr 7, 2022
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) on the field before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Seattle Seahawks aren't actively shopping DK Metcalf, but there is reportedly a price point at which they would at least consider dealing the star wide receiver.
Per ESPN's Brady Henderson, the Seahawks likely "view something in the neighborhood of two firsts as the minimum" offer it would take for an interested team to acquire Metcalf.
Following Seattle's decision to move on from quarterback Russell Wilson and the exploding market for wide receivers, Metcalf's status has been a hot topic of discussion.
Howard Eskin of Sports Radio 94 WIP reported this week that the New York Jets were going to offer Seattle the No. 10 pick in the 2022 NFL draft for Metcalf, but the Seahawks have been telling anyone calling about the 24-year-old they aren't trading him.
Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill have already been traded this offseason after contract talks with their previous teams broke down.
The Green Bay Packers received first- and second-round draft picks in 2022 from the Las Vegas Raiders for Adams. He signed a five-year, $141.25 million deal with the Raiders after the deal.
The Miami Dolphins sent five draft picks, including No. 29 overall, to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Hill. Miami gave Hill a four-year, $120 million extension.
The Seahawks are in the beginning stages of a rebuild process that could take multiple years to bear fruit. They have plenty of draft capital to flesh out the roster, including two first-round draft picks in 2023.
Metcalf is eligible to sign a long-term extension this offseason. He is set to earn $3.986 million in 2022, the final season of his rookie contract.
Seattle already has significant resources tied up in Tyler Lockett. The three-time All-Pro wideout signed a four-year, $69.2 million extension in April 2021. He has cap hits of $10.05 million in 2022 and $16.75 million in 2023, per Spotrac.
A second-round draft pick in 2019, Metcalf has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL over the past three seasons. He has 3,170 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in 49 career games.
DK Metcalf Trade Rumors: 'No Truth' to Report Jets Offered No. 10 Draft Pick for WR
Apr 6, 2022
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) runs with the ball following a reception against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Santa Clara, CA. The Seahawks won 28-21. (Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images for Panini)
A rumor that the New York Jets offered a high draft pick in exchange for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf was shot down Wednesday.
Howard Eskin of 94WIP in Philadelphia said Tuesday the Jets were prepared to offer the Seahawks the No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft for Metcalf, but multiple sources told him the Seahawks have declined any and all offers for Metcalf regardless of the compensation.
Connor Hughes of The Athletic reported Wednesday that multiple sources said there is "no truth" to the rumor that the Jets offered the 10th pick for Metcalf.
Hughes noted that while the Jets want a wide receiver and would have interest in Metcalf, no offer was made since the Seahawks aren't accepting offers on the 24-year-old wideout.
The Jets' interest in a wide receiver is well documented. They were reportedly one of the two teams Tyreek Hill was choosing between before the Kansas City Chiefs traded him to the Miami Dolphins last month.
New York is seemingly making a concerted effort to bring in more offensive weapons to aid in the development of quarterback Zach Wilson, who was the No. 2 overall pick last year.
Free-agent signing Corey Davis was a disappointment last season, and 2020 second-round pick Denzel Mims hasn't lived up to expectations, leaving 2021 second-round pick Elijah Moore and slot receiver Braxton Berrios as Wilson's two most reliable options at wide receiver.
The Jets haven't dipped their toes into the free-agent market for wide receivers. But they are clearly open to a trade, and they have plenty of draft capital to select a rookie wideout.
The Jets own the Nos. 4 and 10 overall picks in the first round of the 2022 draft, as well as the Nos. 35 and 38 picks in the second round.
Ironically, if the Jets were to trade the No. 10 overall pick to Seattle for Metcalf, the Seahawks would be getting their own pick back since they sent it to New York in the trade for safety Jamal Adams.
Metcalf is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2022, but the Seahawks have given no indication that they intend to trade him.
Teams may feel it is worth inquiring, though, since the decision to trade quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos could indicate Seattle is in rebuild mode.
Metcalf should be a key part of that rebuild, however. A young, physically dominant receiver who averaged over 1,000 receiving yards and nearly 10 touchdowns per season in his first three NFL campaigns isn't easy to come by.
While Metcalf would be a game-changer for the Jets or any other team that acquires him, the Seahawks have no imminent need to part with him, especially since he can be franchise-tagged for next season if a long-term extension isn't reached.
Pete Carroll Reportedly Called Out NFL Owners on Hirings of Candidates of Color
Apr 5, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Head coach, Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll reportedly called out NFL owners over hirings of coaching candidates of color at last week's league meetings in Florida.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Carroll spoke for roughly 10 minutes during a meeting of general managers and coaches Tuesday, "saying the hiring of minority candidates won't improve until owners accept that there are candidates out there different than themselves."
The NFL had announced last Monday that all teams must hire an offensive assistant coach of color for the 2022 season. The new policy states that the assistant can be "a female or a member of an ethnic or racial minority" and must work closely with the head coach and offensive staff.
Carroll expressed that he doesn't believe the new rule will be enough for owners to change their ways.
"He just went off," a source told Schefter. "He was saying, you can do anything but until owners get to know these candidates before the actual interviews and understand that they have to hire people who are different than them, it's not going to really change."
Schefter added that the owners "weren't happy" when they got word of Carroll's comments.
Out of nine head coaching vacancies this offseason, only two of them were filled by coaches of color: Mike McDaniels with the Miami Dolphins and Lovie Smith with the Houston Texans. They joined Ron Rivera, Robert Saleh and Mike Tomlin as the league's only coaches of color as of Carroll's comments. The day after, Bruce Arians retired as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was promoted to replace him, making him the sixth head coach of color among the league's 32 teams.
The NFL is facing a lawsuit from former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who alleged racial discrimination in the league's hiring practices. Flores, who was a candidate for multiple head coach openings, was hired as a defensive assistant under Tomlin with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 02: DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a pass for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Lumen Field on January 02, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Despite rumors that the Seattle Seahawks might be willing to trade star wide receiver DK Metcalf this offseason, one key figure doesn't know anything about such talks.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on SportsCenter on Sunday that Metcalf's name was "buzzing in league circles." He continued:
I'm told that Metcalf has gotten indications, informally from the team, that he's not going to be traded. Seattle has said publicly they have no intention to trade him. But the execs I talk to keep bringing him up that maybe they would either be willing to move on at the right price or that Metcalf would welcome a change. So, something is going on here; it's just hard to figure out what. But he's got one year left on his rookie deal. He would need a new contract as part of a trade. That's the tricky part.
The Seahawks have already moved on from veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner, so it's clear that a rebuild is underway. But even with a huge extension for Metcalf looming, he's only 24. He's the sort of player a team can center a rebuild around.
Metcalf posted 75 receptions for 967 yards and 12 scores last year, a season after posting gargantuan numbers (83 catches for 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns) in just his second campaign. If the Seahawks do want to trade him, they'll have an abundance of suitors.
Perhaps Seattle has looked at the massive extensions handed out to players like Davante Adams (five years, $141.3 million) and Tyreek Hill (four years, $120 million) and decided it doesn't want to swim in those waters with Metcalf. In that case, trading him this offseason rather than losing him for nothing as an unrestricted free agent next year makes sense.
But publicly, the Seahawks have spoken about locking up Metcalf to an extension even amid that market:
Pete Carroll: I can’t imagine not having D.K. Metcalf. An extension is in the future at some point.
On Geno Smith: We have high hopes for him. He knows our system. He sat almost 4 yrs. Took a couple games to get his feet under him. I think he has a competitive opportunity.
"It is what it is now, right? This is the market," general manager John Schneider said last week, also telling reporters the Seahawks intended to sign Metcalf to an extension. "So we'll get to that when we get to it. But yeah, there is a bit of, 'Whoa,' but then you have to figure out: 'OK, well, where's the cap going? What's it going to look like? How do you build your team?' We do that every day. We're constantly moving stuff around."
