Three more receivers have been added to the mix of Steelers' options to upgrade the position: D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Christian Kirk. Metcalf is a trade option while Lockett and Kirk have been released by their respective teams and have become free agents.
Metcalf is clearly the most attractive option here. According to multiple national reports, Metcalf requested a trade and the Seahawks are willing to explore it. Metcalf currently has one year remaining on his three-year, $72-million contract, and any acquiring team would be responsible for his $18 million salary. However, according to multiple reports, Metcalf wants a new deal with any new team.
Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowler and former second-team All-Pro, is still a very productive receiver and just turned 27 years old. Last season, Metcalf caught 66 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games, a very similar pace to the 1,114 yards he had in 2023. He missed two games due to a knee injury in 2024.
Bottom line, few in the game produce the way Metcalf has, regardless of circumstance. In six seasons, Metcalf has never had less than 900 receiving yards. The Steelers need that kind of production, and pairing him with George Pickens would give the Steelers two outstanding weapons on the outside. The big question is what kind of compensation are the Seahawks seeking in trading Metcalf?
The Seahawks are also releasing Lockett after 10 seasons with the team. It was an easy decision for Seattle, given the $17 million they are saving with his release. After four straight 1,000-yard seasons, Lockett's production has diminished over the past two years. He'll be entering his age 33 season, and his best football is clearly behind him. His market could be more interesting for teams with an existing strong corps looking to add quality depth.
On the other hand, Kirk is an intriguing option for the Steelers. He'll turn 29 in November, and he's a productive receiver when he's healthy. He caught 84 passes for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, and he was on an identical pace in 2023 before a groin tear ended his season after 12 games. He was also limited to just eight games in 2024 after a broken collarbone ended his season last October.
Because of the injury concerns, he could be the Steelers' best bang-for-your-buck option. And, if it weren't for that collarbone injury, Kirk would have likely been traded to the Steelers last season instead of Mike Williams. It would not be surprising to see them go after him again.
This isn't the strongest class of free agents, but the options just got a whole lot more interesting with today's news.
THE ASYLUM
Metcalf, Lockett, Kirk hit market
Three more receivers have been added to the mix of Steelers' options to upgrade the position: D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Christian Kirk. Metcalf is a trade option while Lockett and Kirk have been released by their respective teams and have become free agents.
Metcalf is clearly the most attractive option here. According to multiple national reports, Metcalf requested a trade and the Seahawks are willing to explore it. Metcalf currently has one year remaining on his three-year, $72-million contract, and any acquiring team would be responsible for his $18 million salary. However, according to multiple reports, Metcalf wants a new deal with any new team.
Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowler and former second-team All-Pro, is still a very productive receiver and just turned 27 years old. Last season, Metcalf caught 66 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games, a very similar pace to the 1,114 yards he had in 2023. He missed two games due to a knee injury in 2024.
Bottom line, few in the game produce the way Metcalf has, regardless of circumstance. In six seasons, Metcalf has never had less than 900 receiving yards. The Steelers need that kind of production, and pairing him with George Pickens would give the Steelers two outstanding weapons on the outside. The big question is what kind of compensation are the Seahawks seeking in trading Metcalf?
The Seahawks are also releasing Lockett after 10 seasons with the team. It was an easy decision for Seattle, given the $17 million they are saving with his release. After four straight 1,000-yard seasons, Lockett's production has diminished over the past two years. He'll be entering his age 33 season, and his best football is clearly behind him. His market could be more interesting for teams with an existing strong corps looking to add quality depth.
On the other hand, Kirk is an intriguing option for the Steelers. He'll turn 29 in November, and he's a productive receiver when he's healthy. He caught 84 passes for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, and he was on an identical pace in 2023 before a groin tear ended his season after 12 games. He was also limited to just eight games in 2024 after a broken collarbone ended his season last October.
Because of the injury concerns, he could be the Steelers' best bang-for-your-buck option. And, if it weren't for that collarbone injury, Kirk would have likely been traded to the Steelers last season instead of Mike Williams. It would not be surprising to see them go after him again.
This isn't the strongest class of free agents, but the options just got a whole lot more interesting with today's news.
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