DK Metcalf wanted his money. There is nothing wrong with that. He is a professional football player after all, and any professional wants to make money at what they do, and as much as possible. The former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver is now paid like a king.
The receiver wanted out of Seattle, possibly because the team was not going to pay him what he wanted to be paid over his next contract (though money reportedly wasn't the reason he wanted to leave the Seahawks). Still, his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, nearly immediately gave him an extension.
Metcalf's extension was for four years and $132 million. The important part is that $80 million of that is guaranteed. $132 million might have to be accounted for, but $80 million definitely does. That could affect the future deals the Steelers make.
Former Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf's contract already affecting the business of the Steelers
Metcalf's contract is already causing Pittsburgh issues. The receiver was paid high-end market value, and edge rusher TJ Watt, a four-time First-Team All-Pro, does, too. Watt is currently holding out of OTAs until the team gives him an extension as well; he is signed through 2025 currently.
Watt is deserving of an extension that pays him near the top of the edge rusher market (the top-four highest-paid edge rushers currently all have deals that pay them at least an average annual salary of $34 million while Watt's annual salary now is $28,002,750) as he has had at least 13 sacks in five of his eight seasons. He also plays the run exceedingly well.
According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, "DK Metcalf, when they give him a five-year, $130 million contract, and he’s never played for the team before, that’s going to embolden the guy who’s been a loyal servant since 2017 to say, ‘if you’re going to give him market value, and he’s a stranger to the Steelers, I want market value too, and it’s not unreasonable for me to expect it."
The only thing wrong with Florio's point there is that he undersells how much the Steelers are going to pay Metcalf. His extension alone was more than $130 million. Otherwise, he is spot on.
Of course, Metcalf likely did not land with the Steelers and consider any other player getting paid more than himself. That is logical because few players, except ones such as Tom Brady, are going to take less money so that the rest of the team can afford other high-quality players.
Wins are great, but for many, generational wealth is even more important. Playing in the NFL is obviously a job.
Still, the whole situation underlies the false reasons Metcalf reportedly gave for wanting out of Seattle, but without having a no-trade clause. He wanted to go to a warmer weather city, play with a team with a better quarterback situation than the Seahawks, and a team closer to contending for a Super Bowl.
The Steelers are not that different from Seattle. Even if Metcalf didn't get his wishes with the three above, he did get his wish to be paid a lot. That just happens to be affecting the contract situation of the best player the Steelers have.
