Almost immediately after a Wednesday report revealed that star wide receiver DK Metcalf wants to be traded from the Seattle Seahawks to "a contender," some linked Metcalf with the Las Vegas Raiders because he played under recently hired Raiders head coach Pete Carroll with the Seahawks from 2019 through the 2023 season.
However, ESPN NFL analyst Bill Barnwell shared in an article published on Thursday why Metcalf may not necessarily welcome a reunion with Carroll this offseason.
"The Raiders don't have a quarterback," Barnwell explained, "which means they don't fit the 'contender' angle Metcalf is looking for as part of a trade. They ranked 30th in total QBR last season, and Aidan O'Connell is the top signal-caller on the current roster. They will add someone this offseason, but there aren't any obvious solutions available. They ranked 17th in defensive [expected points added] per play, which is respectable, but five of their 11 starters are free agents, including their two best young defensive backs in Tre'von Moehrig and Nate Hobbs."
"Current roster" is the key phrase regarding Las Vegas' quarterback situation. Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings will become eligible to begin speaking with other clubs when the free-agent negotiating window opens on March 10 unless he signs a deal with his current employer before then. Meanwhile, Barnwell noted that the Raiders have more than enough salary-cap space available to sign Darnold and then hand Metcalf a contract extension to his liking. Metcalf is set to enter the final year of his contract.
Some believe the Raiders and Tennessee Titans could get into a bidding war for Darnold's services that could last beyond the start of the new league year on March 12. Insiders have predicted that Darnold could put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth $115M-$125M with around $55M-$85M guaranteed. On Thursday, ESPN's Ben Solak said that "people will be surprised by how much Darnold makes on the open market."
"Maybe Metcalf believes Carroll can push the defense forward quickly," Barnwell continued. "If they hit on a quarterback such as Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders in the draft, there have been moribund teams that have turned things around quickly, with the 2023 Texans and 2024 Commanders as obvious recent examples."
The Raiders can't bank on landing Ward or Sanders, as some think the Titans (pick No. 1) and Cleveland Browns (No. 2) will hold onto their draft assets and make the prospects the top two picks of the upcoming player-selection process. Thus, signing Darnold theoretically could convince Metcalf the Raiders are trying to compete for at least a playoff spot as soon as possible, so much so that the playmaker would agree to an extension if he can orchestrate a trade to Las Vegas.
