DK Metcalf says contract negotiations ‘a traumatic course of’ after touchdown three-year, $73 million take care of Seattle Seahawks

RENTON, Wash. — A number of months of contract negotiations between his agent and the Seattle Seahawks gave DK Metcalf loads of consternation, despite the fact that the star huge receiver remained assured all alongside that it will finish in a deal.

“It was a traumatic course of,” Metcalf stated Friday, “however glad that it is over now.”

That stress did not utterly give solution to pleasure till Metcalf took the stage on the auditorium inside Seahawks headquarters, a full day after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 2 sides had agreed to a three-year extension value $72 million. Metcalf signed the deal Friday morning then spoke to reporters afterward – at instances turning into emotional — whereas flanked by coach Pete Carroll and normal supervisor John Schneider.

“It simply hit me as I used to be sitting up right here,” Metcalf stated. “I instructed my mother and father and I used to be simply smiling on the cellphone. My mother began crying, dad began crying however I used to be simply smiling. Then after I sat up right here, it simply hit me like, it is right here. DK, it is time so that you can step up.”

Schneider thanked Metcalf for the persistence and professionalism he confirmed throughout a negotiating course of that, in accordance with the GM, started on the scouting mix in February and was repeatedly impacted by the megadeals signed by different marquee receivers this offseason.

Metcalf drew laughter when he alluded to some gamesmanship he employed in negotiations. It was a part of his response when requested if it was any extra traumatic watching his counterparts money in.

“No as a result of … one thing was going to get carried out,” he stated. “It was going to be right here … as a lot as I bluffed to John. Simply to let y’all know, I needed to be right here. I needed to play right here and I am simply glad that we bought one thing carried out.”

Metcalf’s deal features a $30 million signing bonus, a supply instructed Schefter, which is the best ever for a large receiver. His $24 million new-money common ties Metcalf with the Buffalo Payments’ Stefon Diggs because the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid receiver and retains him beneath contract in Seattle by way of the 2025 season.

“Only a massive thanks to all people that helped me get up to now in my life,” he stated. “I am nonetheless not carried out. That chip hasn’t gone anyplace.”

Carroll had simply referenced the proverbial chip-on-the-shoulder that Metcalf developed after falling to the ultimate choose of the second spherical within the 2019 draft, six months after he suffered a neck harm that ended his last season at Ole Miss and threatened to finish his soccer profession.

Schneider recalled how decided Carroll was main as much as that draft to land Metcalf. After the Seahawks selected security Marquise Blair in the midst of the second spherical, Carroll stepped out of the draft room to speak with Seattle’s latest participant. That is when Schneider reached a take care of the New England Patriots to commerce as much as No. 64, the place Seattle would take Metcalf. When Carroll sat again down, Schneider slow-played it earlier than breaking the excellent news.

“He was like, ‘You have to be kidding. DK Metcalf’s going to be on our group?'” Schneider stated. “It was so cool to have the ability to have that trade proper there. Bam, we made the commerce after which to have the ability to rise up to the sixty fourth choose. I will by no means ever neglect that. It was a extremely thrilling time.”

Since then, Metcalf has gotten off to probably the most prolific begin of any receiver in franchise historical past. His 3,170 receiving yards are most by any Seahawk in his first three seasons whereas his 29 touchdowns are one shy of the membership document.

Metcalf stated it was tough to not participate in final month’s necessary minicamp – which he missed with an unexcused absence – and to observe the primary two practices of coaching camp throughout his temporary “hold-in.” He is anticipated to participate within the Seahawks’ subsequent follow on Saturday. He stated there is not any subject together with his foot, which he had surgically-repaired after taking part in by way of a fracture most of final season.

“Seeing him be a lot greater than only a soccer participant is a good thrill for me,” Carroll stated. “All people talks about how he is an awesome athlete, he is a beast, he is all this type of stuff. I do not like that speak about him. Thus man, he is an entire particular person and he has a lot to supply.”

Metcalf desires to open eating places in Mississippi that can promote more healthy consuming and fight the state’s weight problems drawback.

“It actually hasn’t hit me till now that I’ve the chance simply to assist so many individuals again dwelling and assist my household,” he stated. “And simply desirous about after I broke my neck and I used to be instructed I wasn’t going to have the ability to play soccer once more. And now this second occurring, it is simply all a blessing … I simply thank all people as a result of it took a village only for me to get right here at present.”