Seahawks GM John Schneider asked at NFL combine: ‘Where do things stand with DK Metcalf?’
The question was phrased in a way that begged John Schneider to dismiss it.
So, yes, the Seahawks general manager absolutely did exactly that. He scoffed at a reporter for another NFL team — presumably one whose fans want DK Metcalf — asking Schneider: “Where do things stand with DK Metcalf?”
“Where do things stand?” Seattle’s GM said, with an incredulous voice and look Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine.
“I’m not sure. He’s on our team. Yeah, yeah. He’s a big, strong, fast, physical receiver.”
That ended that.
The better question to Schneider: How likely is it that the Seahawks re-sign their hulking wide receiver to a third contract beyond his current deal that ends following the 2025 season?
Rumors across the league are wondering if the Seahawks would trade Metcalf. That’s because he will be entering the final year of his contract this fall. Because his salary-cap charge is scheduled to be $31.9 million this year, Seattle’s second-highest behind only quarterback Geno Smith.
It’s because Metcalf is 6 feet 4, 235 pounds, runs the 100-yard dash in 10 seconds, the 40 in 4.3 seconds and leaps out of stadiums. And because he is still only 27 years old.
The Seahawks don’t have as much urgency to address Metcalf’s contract as they do those for Smith, linebacker Ernest Jones and wide receiver Tyler Lockett.
Jones’ contract has expired. If the team doesn’t reach an agreement with the thumper who transformed coach Mike Macdonald’s defense after he arrived in a trade from Tennessee in October, he will field offers from other teams on the open market.
Schneider said Tuesday the Seahawks and Jones’ agents continue to have “positive talks” toward a new deal for him to remain in Seattle longer term.
Smith is entering the final year of his contract. His scheduled cap charge of $44.5 million in untenable for a team that is $6.5 million over the salary cap. All teams have to have their top 51 contracts under the cap by March 12, the first day of the new league year.
Schneider said Tuesday he and Smith’s agent Chafie Fields have “a really good relationship,” and that talks with Fields on a new deal for Seattle’s QB will continue this week in Indianapolis.
“We expect him to be our guy,” Schneider said. “But we want to do what’s right, too.’’
Lockett’s entering the final year of his deal with a scheduled cap charge of $30.9 million. The Seahawks could save $17 million by releasing the 32-year-old wide receiver after 10 seasons with Seattle. Lockett has said he knows that might happen.
“Yeah, we’ll be talking. Andrew Kessler is his agent. We’ll be meeting with him this week,” Schneider said, off in a corner of the Indiana Convention Center. “He’s one of my all-time favorite players.
“So ... yep.”
Schneider was then asked: Do you anticipate having Lockett back this year on the Seahawks?
The GM who drafted the record-setting wide receiver and kick returner out of Kansas State in 2015 had body language and a facial expression that didn’t say yes.
“Do I anticipate it? I don’t know,” Schneider said. “I’ll see how the conversation goes, but I don’t ...”
His voice trailed off.
“I’m not sure,” Schneider said.
Metcalf could be in line to be the Seahawks’ next, huge, longer-term contract — perhaps for as much as $100 million.
In 15 years with Schneider as the GM negotiating, the team has typically reached agreements to keep their foundational players, such as Metcalf has been for all six of his NFL seasons, in the summer entering the final years of their contracts.
By then, Schneider will know how much money he has committed to Jones on his seemingly imminent deal, and on free agents the team will be signing next month into the summer.
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM.
