Top Trade Packages for DK Metcalf After WR Requests Move
With free agency just around the corner, the NFL news cycle was already a swirling cyclone of rumors, speculation and potential trades.
In the latter regard, things became that much more interesting Wednesday.
Not only did the Seattle Seahawks release veteran receiver Tyler Lockett, but another of the team’s pass-catchers apparently wants out of town—per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, seventh-year wideout DK Metcalf has requested a trade out.
And Seattle has agreed to explore such a deal.
The 27-year-old Metcalf failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards last season, but in 2023, the speedy 6’4”, 235-pounder surpassed 1,100 yards and scored eight touchdowns.
Even in a relatively deep crop of free agents (or potential free agents) at the position, Metcalf vaults to the top of the available players at the position. He won’t come cheaply, but there is no shortage of teams who could benefit from adding a player of Metcalf’s caliber.
Here’s a look at several of them—and what it might take to land Metcalf.
Las Vegas Raiders
1 of 7
Seahawks Get: 2025 Round 1 Pick; 2026 Round 3 Pick; 2026 Round 7 Pick
Raiders Get: WR DK Metcalf; QB Geno Smith; 2026 Round 7 Pick
Might as well start things off with a blockbuster.
DK Metcalf isn’t the only Seahawk who has been the subject of trade speculation of late. Though Seattle general manager John Schneider was emphatic that the team has no plans to trade quarterback Geno Smith, it wouldn’t be the first time that a team said one thing and did another.
Some believe the Seahawks, as presently constructed, aren’t good enough to be a serious contender. And with Smith headed into a contract year with a cap hit over $44 million, Seaside Joe wrote that the smart play is to let the 34-year-old seek a trade.
“Given how small his market is — which the Seahawks can prove if they allow Geno to seek a trade — it is unlikely that he could get more money than what he’s already set to make if Seattle doesn’t release him outright or trade him,” Joe said. “And by allowing Geno to talk to other teams, who knows: Geno might find out that there is a team that really wants him and the Seahawks might be able to snag $31 million in cap space and a draft pick or player rather than over-commit to a quarterback who isn’t worth anything above his current rate…until he can prove it.”
The Raiders aren’t going to part with the sixth overall pick for Metcalf alone—or at least they shouldn’t. But the opportunity to add a proven veteran quarterback and a No. 1 wide receiver could be significantly more tempting—especially given Pete Carroll’s prior relationship with both players.
Las Vegas turbocharges its rebuild. The Seahawks get a pick that could be combined with their own first-rounder to make a play for the first overall pick.
And sports talk radio in two cities goes completely ballistic.
Green Bay Packers
2 of 7
Seahawks Get: 2025 Round 2 Pick; 2026 Round 4 Pick; WR Dontayvion Wicks
Packers Get: WR DK Metcalf
This may well be the least likely destination for Metcalf for a couple of reasons. For starters, this trade package doesn’t include a first-rounder, although Seattle would get a promising young wideout on a rookie deal back in Dontayvion Wicks. There’s also the matter of dealing Metcalf inside the NFC—if the Seahawks send him packing, they would likely prefer to see him lined up for their opponent as little as possible.
However, there has been smoke surrounding a potential Metcalf trade to Titletown for a little while now. And as Chris Schad wrote for Dairyland Express, Deebo Samuel’s recent trade to the Washington Commanders may have lowered Metcalf’s cost in trade talks.
“The Packers would have a better infrastructure for Metcalf catching passes from Jordan Love,” Schad said. “They also need a top playmaker after no Green Bay receiver topped 1,000 yards last season. While Jayden Reed had a strong year with 55 catches for 857 yards and six touchdowns, Christian Watson’s availability for the 2025 season is in question after suffering a torn ACL in a Week 18 loss to the Chicago Bears and Romeo Doubs has long-term concerns after a season marred by concussions. Rumors stated that the Packers would have had to have paid a first-round pick and a young receiver such as Doubs or Dontayvion Wicks to acquire Metcalf, but Samuel’s trade to Washington may help the Packers be able to throw in a lower pick.”
It’s a deal that would surely liven up this year’s draft in Green Bay.
New England Patriots
3 of 7
Seahawks Get: 2025 Round 3 Pick; 2026 Conditional Pick
Patriots Get: WR DK Metcalf
This is another potential trade where compensation could be tricky.
The money isn’t an issue—there isn’t a team in the league with more cap space than New England’s $127 million and change. There also isn’t a team in the NFL that needs passing-game talent more than the New England Patriots.
There’s a reason pundits like Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire have advocated for New England to examine a trade for Metcalf.
“For all of the talk of the team being aggressive in free agency, this would be the move the Patriots need to make to validate those claims,” he wrote. “They could land a true No. 1 receiving target in the prime of his career at only 27 years old. Metcalf finished last season with 66 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns, after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Pairing him with a young gunslinger like Patriots quarterback Drake Maye could take his career and the entire offense to new heights.”
However, New England isn’t likely to part with a top-five pick for a wideout coming off a relatively “down” season who will want over $30 million per year on a new deal.
Still, there could be a way around that—packaging a Day 2 pick with a conditional pick for 2026 based on how Metcalf performs for his new team in 2025. If Metcalf recovers past form and gives the Patriots offense the jolt it needs, giving up that early pick next year could be much more palatable in Beantown.
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Los Angeles Chargers
4 of 7
Seahawks Get: 2025 Round 1 Pick
Chargers Get: WR DK Metcalf
The Los Angeles Chargers exceeded expectations last year, making the playoffs in Jim Harbaugh’s first year as head coach. But while the Bolts won 11 games, there’s no question that the team needs an upgrade at wide receiver opposite Ladd McConkey.
Given that need, the Chargers have been connected to just about every big name at wideout available in free agency or via trade. And Jason Reed of Bolt Beat believes the team should get in on the Metcalf sweepstakes.
“From a pure fit standpoint, it is harder to find a better destination for Metcalf than the LA Chargers,” he said. “The Chargers check multiple boxes that Metcalf undoubtedly values. Los Angeles is a true contender that made the playoffs last season and should only be better in 2025. The Chargers also have a superstar quarterback who can get Metcalf the ball at a consistent rate. From a schematic standpoint, Metcalf would fit perfectly in this passing offense alongside Ladd McConkey. Metcalf could serve as the speedy boundary receiver who defenses have to respect with McConkey cooking defensive backs in one-on-ones out of the slot. The Chargers have the money to spend, too. Los Angeles has over $65 million in cap space with a clear check book in future seasons. Not only can the Chargers afford Metcalf in 2025, they can afford to sign him to an extension.”
With the 22nd overall pick, the Chargers pick late enough in Round 1 that dealing their first-rounder isn’t out of the question for an impact player at a position of need.
It’s an aggressive move—but one that could pay off big.
Pittsburgh Steelers
5 of 7
Seahawks Get: 2025 Round 1 Pick
Steelers Get: WR DK Metcalf
Like the Chargers, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been connected to just about every big-name wideout who could switch teams this year. George Pickens is the team’s current No. 1 receiver, but the mercurial wideout’s tenure in Pittsburgh has been bumpy.
It should surprise exactly no one that soon after the Metcalf news broke, Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live wrote that Pittsburgh should seriously consider taking a run at him.
“Metcalf has over 6,000 career receiving yards, and his unique size and speed combination will make him perfect for the Steelers' vertically focused offense,” he said. “He will want a new contract on top of this, but the Steelers would likely have to trade their first-round pick for Metcalf. If the Steelers want to make a premium move, however, Metcalf would be that difference maker, and without a huge contract on the offensive side of the football, they have the flexibility to make it happen.”
This trade only makes sense if the Steelers have a concrete plan in place for their vacancy at quarterback, whether it’s a free agent like Sam Darnold or bringing back Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. With almost $60 million in cap space, Pittsburgh has the cash to both resolve that quarterback situation and re-up Metcalf.
It’s simple, really. If the Steelers believe that Metcalf can elevate the team to a legitimate Super Bowl contender after years of hovering a tier below, it’s a move worth making.
Huge moves are a little out of character for the Steelers. But an out-of-character splash could be just what the team needs to break out of its postseason funk.
Buffalo Bills
6 of 7
Seahawks Get: 2025 Round 1 Pick, 2026 Round 5 Pick
Bills Get: WR DK Metcalf
The Buffalo Bills have become the NFL’s perennial bridesmaid—good enough to dominate the AFC East in recent years, but not good enough to get past Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs and into the Super Bowl.
One of the team’s more glaring issues is an unimposing wide receiver corps. And while making the money work for a Metcalf deal would take some doing, Christian D'Andrea of For the Win thinks the Bills should seriously explore making it happen.
“At the moment, the Bills lack the cap space to make meaningful additions,” D’Andrea said. “But by cutting Von Miller and restructuring the contracts of Josh Allen and Dion Dawkins -- two guys who aren't going anywhere -- they can turn their negative cap space into nearly $30 million in spending room. That's enough to absorb Metcalf's contract and though it would be an issue for a team with limited funds to spend in 2026, that's a problem for the future Bills. In the present, Buffalo needs to find the booster rocket that can take this team out of low earth orbit and toward a new galaxy. Khalil Shakir is a solid WR2. Keon Coleman has room to grow, and Dalton Kincaid can shake off a sophomore slump. But none of those guys will draw defensive attention the way Stefon Diggs once did to open up the passing offense. Metcalf can.”
The Bills have come oh so close to a fifth Super Bowl appearance in recent seasons but just can’t seem to get over the top.
Perhaps Metcalf is the player who can put them there.
Kansas City Chiefs
7 of 7
Seahawks Get: 2025 Round 1 Pick, 2026 Round 5 Pick
Chiefs Get: WR DK Metcalf
We’ll close this out with a trade that would send every other general manager in the AFC scrambling toward the liquor cabinet.
Please drink responsibly.
The Kansas City Chiefs won their fifth AFC Championship Game in six years in 2024. But outside of second-year pro Xavier Worthy, the team’s wide receiver corps is one big question mark.
Per FanSided’s Mark Powell, acquiring Metcalf would answer that question—emphatically.
“The AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs are in need of wide receiver help,” he said. “Beyond Xavier Worthy, much of the Chiefs receiving corps is either unreliable or entering free agency. DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown are chief among Kansas City's list of available free agents. When the new league year starts next week, the Chiefs will have to act quickly to either retain that talent, or replace them with capable hands. Trading for Metcalf would boost Kansas City's receiving corps and provide Patrick Mahomes with the go-to receiver he's been lacking since Tyreek Hill left. With Travis Kelce entering his final years in an NFL uniform, supplying Mahomes with his next, great weapon must be on Brett Veach's to-do list.”
Powell’s suggested compensation (a second-rounder and a pair of Day 3 picks) likely isn’t enough to get the deal done—especially if a number of teams get in on the bidding. But if Veach is willing to throw the 31st overall pick in the deal, the Chiefs could be onto something.
That sound you hear is Brandon Beane screaming.
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