METCALF SAYS HE BLUFFED DURING CONTRACT TALKS
Now that the deal was signed and DK Metcalf had the security and financial reward he was seeking, Seattle’s young wide receiver could acknowledge he played some games with the Seahawks through the negotiation process.
“I was going to be here, as much as I bluffed to (GM) John (Schneider),” Metcalf said with a chuckle. “I wasn’t leaving, just to let you all know. I wanted to be here. I wanted to play here and I’m glad that we got something done.”
Metcalf became the latest in a line of wide receivers to land big new contracts when he signed a three-year extension with the Seahawks on Friday. The deal will pay him up to $72 million, includes $58 million guaranteed, and keeps him wrapped up through the 2025 season.
Getting an extension done with Metcalf was an offseason priority even with the Seahawks embarking on an offensive rebuild following the trade of Russell Wilson. The team has viewed him as a part of its core almost from the time he was selected in the second round in 2019.
“We knew he was a guy that was going to be here, we had to have here for a long time in order for us to provide for the (fans) a championship team,” Schneider said.
Schneider said negotiations on Metcalf ’s extension began in Indianapolis during the NFL combine, which was also when talks between the Seahawks and Broncos on the Wilson trade kicked into gear.
The Metcalf negotiations lingered into the start of training camp and included Metcalf skipping the team’s mandatory minicamp in June. But Schneider praised Metcalf’s patience and professionalism throughout.
Metcalf’s deal includes a $30 million signing bonus, the largest for a wide receiver.
Notable
Coach Ron Rivera says Chase Young will not be ready to play for the Washington Commanders in their season opener. Rivera ruled out Young for Week 1 against the Jaguars on Sept. 11 as the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year works back from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.
Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt says the team prefers to renovate Arrowhead Stadium rather than build a new stadium. But that will depend on a number of studies that are examining the structural integrity of a building celebrating its opening 50 years ago this season.
The Jaguars waived undrafted rookie
Andrew Mevis a day after he badly missed three field-goal attempts during a training camp practice. They signed free agent Elliott Fry to fill his roster spot.
Kwon Alexander is reuniting with coach Robert Saleh and adding a veteran presence to the Jets’ linebacker corps. The 27-year-old Alexander signed a one-year deal.