The Seattle Seahawks got the worst of both worlds in 2024.
Not only are they the only 10-win team to miss the playoffs, but they will select 18th in the upcoming draft, which represents the worst pick of any non-playoff franchise.
Things are good in Seattle, but not great. The Seahawks may be looking at a quarterback change from Geno Smith, who still played reasonably well during his age-34 campaign but also accounted for 15 interceptions.
Smith has one year remaining on his contract that carries a salary cap hit of $44.5 million, and Seattle can save $31 million by cutting or trading Smith during the offseason.
If the Seahawks decide to seek better value at the position, it opens the door to several potential roster shifts. One of the more likely scenarios would see Seattle trade star wide receiver DK Metcalf, who is entering the final season of his three-year, $72 million deal and will be seeking an extension.
Benjamin Solak of ESPN predicted the Seahawks will trade Metcalf to the New England Patriots in return for the 4th pick.
"After trying (and failing) in the Tee Higgins market, the Patriots will put together a solid trade for a veteran receiver," Solak wrote on Jan. 6. "DK Metcalf and DJ Moore are the two names that make the most sense. The Patriots won't mind sending away draft capital for immediate contributors, as they plan to trade out of the No. 4 overall pick anyway."
Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowler, has averaged north of 1,000 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns over his six-year career. He remains a legitimate No. 1 option heading into his age-28 campaign.
That said, whoever eventually extends Metcalf is probably going to have to pay him like one of the league's top-five receivers, and it is a stretch to categorize him among that most elite of groups.
The Seahawks are more than $11.35 million over the 2025 salary cap as of Wednesday, while the Patriots have the most space in the NFL with more than $133.5 million to spend.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba took a major leap in his second season, catching 100 passes for 1,130 yards and 6 scores, and can step into the leading receiver role. Plus, the fourth selection in the draft would allow Seattle to address any one of multiple needs, likely with the top performer at his position who would spend the next four to five years playing on an affordable rookie contract.
