DK Metcalf wants trade and Packers have WR need but a lot of factors in play

Paul Bretl | 3/6/2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Seattle Seahawks’ wide receiver DK Metcalf has requested to be traded. From a pure football perspective, the addition would make all the sense in the world for the Packers, but as we know, there are a lot of other factors and variables in play.

Throughout his six NFL seasons with the Seahawks, Metcalf has been durable, playing in 15 or more games each of those years, and he’s been a big part of the offense with 100-plus targets each season as well.

Metcalf’s fit with the Packers, in terms of what they need at the receiver position, would be twofold. He would provide them with that go-to presence in the offense and with a vertical threat while Christian Watson is sidelined. Over the last two seasons, Metcalf has averaged just under 16 yards per catch on 132 receptions.

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However, when it comes to acquiring Metcalf, the price tag to do so reportedly is quite hefty. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Seattle is looking for a first and third-round pick in return for Metcalf.

During Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as general manager, when the right player has been available in free agency, he’s taken a swing. Two recent examples of that are Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs, two players whom the Packers signed to top-of-market or near-top-of-market deals just last offseason.

But when it comes to acquiring a high-end player via a trade, that is not a path we’ve seen Gutekunst explore. He’s been much more cautious in that regard, and big part of that equation is because of what’s being given up.

“It doesn’t happen a lot at all,” said Gutekunst after the season of the Packers trading high picks for players, “but we’ve gotten some first-round picks for players. Certainly, if that player can impact our football team in a significant way, you have to consider that.”

As Gutekunst described after the Packers’ season, it’s not only a draft pick or two that you’re sending away, but the team also loses out on an inexpensive four-year rookie deal, a young likely ascending player heading towards their prime. Along with that player, the team is also going to be acquiring a contract that often needs to be reworked and then comes with a hefty cap hit that now has to be figured into the team’s long-term plans.

“You’d better be right,” said Gutekunst when asked about trading a high draft pick for a player. “When you trade a high pick for a veteran player, you’re trading a young, really good contract for a player who’s proven but is probably expensive. So you’re giving up a pick and salary-cap space.”

As it pertains to Metcalf specifically, whichever team does end up trading for him will also be signing him to a contract extension. Metcalf is entering the final year of his deal and is due a base salary in 2025 of $18 million. However, as reported by Russini, Metcalf is looking to earn around $30 million per year on his next contract.

Is that a doable contract to absorb, given the Packers’ current cap situation? Sure. But it also will require some agile maneuvering of the salary cap configuration for the team, not only in 2025 but in the years to come as well, with that large cap hit now on the books.

This was a Packers’ receiver room in 2024 that did not take the collective step forward that many anticipated. The drops, lack of attention to detail at times, and wrong routes were key elements to what ended up being a disjointed passing game, particularly down the stretch.

Gutekunst has acknowledged that the Packers do need someone to step into that top wide receiver role. He’s also said that he believes already on the roster are a few players who have the ability to do that. However, assuming one of the Packers’ current receivers takes that step comes with risks, particularly given how last season played out.

After the season, Gutekunst mentioned that the time to compete for championships is now and that greater urgency is needed throughout the roster. The question is, however, is that sense of urgency rolling through the front office as well and does it manifest itself in the Packers going off-script when it comes to building out their roster?

For the right player, Gutekunst will consider making such a trade, but those other aforementioned factors very much are a part of he equation and carry weight in the decision-making process.

“So I think you’ve got to weigh that,” Gutekunst added. “And if it’s the right player, if you feel like he can be a dynamic player who can change your football team, I think you’ve got to consider that, because there’s not many of those guys out there. But I think you have to also understand what you’re giving up.”

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