Is DK Metcalf’s contract Seahawks’ biggest question over QB battle?

The most common question about the Seattle Seahawks this offseason has been in regards to the team’s replacement at quarterback: Who will take over after the trade of Russell Wilson?

But is that actually the biggest question the Hawks face going into the start of training camp next week?

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There is something else very important that Seattle has to answer, and that’s if it can sign star wide receiver DK Metcalf to a contract extension before he enters the final year of his rookie contract.

For Mike Lefko, producer of Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, that’s what’s most concerning for the Seahawks right now.

“The biggest storyline heading into camp – and this is something that could be resolved very quickly – but right now it’s DK Metcalf’s contract because it’s lingering over everything,” Lefko said while guest hosting the show Tuesday with Dave Wyman. “It’s hanging out there as an ominous cloud over the future of this franchise if they don’t get something done with DK Metcalf. And for me the reason why is because it’s not just this season.”

Lefko’s point is that the 24-year-old Metcalf is a cornerstone player the Seahawks can build around as they look to get back in the playoff picture in the next year or two. At quarterback, though, there is a belief by those following the situation that whoever wins a battle between Drew Lock and Geno Smith in training camp will just be a one-year solution.

“The quarterbacks, that’s an uncertainty, but I think common perception is that next year you’ll draft someone, and maybe that’s your guy, that’s your new franchise hope,” Lefko said. “It’s supposed to be a strong quarterback class (in the 2023 NFL Draft). But for DK Metcalf, this hangs over the next few years. This isn’t just this season – this is the future. So if you can’t come to a long-term deal, then all of a sudden there’s the uncertainty this season. … If DK Metcalf is unsettled and not content in his situation, then your offense is very different because wide receiver goes from a position of stability to, alright, you have maybe DK Metcalf playing disgruntled in the final year of his rookie contract.”

Wyman, a former NFL linebacker who serves as color commentator on Seahawks Radio Network broadcasts, isn’t as concerned about Metcalf’s situation because of the Hawks’ track record with players who they were negotiating extensions with as training camp began.

“I would put that like No. 3, because who’s gonna throw him the ball?” Wyman said in regards to biggest Seahawks storylines right now. “… I don’t think that DK Metcalf’s (contract) is going to be a problem. I think we’re going to be surprised. … I just think it’s already taken care of, they have a plan and that I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s signed sometime in the next week.”

Lefko had an interesting reason to back up his concern, though, and that’s something Pete Carroll said when Metcalf held out of mandatory minicamp in June.

“There’s been conversations,” Carroll said about a potential Seahawks extension with Metcalf. “… These are crucial weeks to get something done. We’ll see what happens and hopefully we can work something out. We really intended to get that done.”

It’s that last line that jumps out.

“That threw me for a (loop), hearing that line, ‘We intended to get something done,'” Lefko said. “Like, ‘Well, you know, we thought we’d have it done by now.’ … The minicamp holdout was truly surprising that DK wasn’t there. And that’s the only reason why I think, for me, this becomes the biggest storyline if that continues. I mean, he wasn’t at minicamp. He was at all the OTAs. We know he’s still recovering from a foot injury so he might not have been able to do any actual on-field work at minicamp, but just him not being there, all of a sudden, ‘Oh, is this gonna get contentious?'”

Wyman was unmoved.

“I don’t see it that way. I really don’t think it was that big of a deal,” he said. “… I think both sides mutually admire one another and I think that’s it’s gonna get worked out. Like I said, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s either not (done) in the next week or possibly he does the hold-in and maybe he’s out there at practice, just not practicing (at the start of training camp).”

You can listen to the full conversation in the podcast at this link or in the player below.

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