Pittsburgh Steelers fans were getting to a breaking point when it came to WR moves.
With names being signed and traded for left and right ahead of Monday’s legal tampering period, the Steelers posed as sitting ducks.
Until they made the biggest trade of the offseason thus far, and one that could have lasting impact on their QB decision…
Steelers Trade and extend WR D.K. Metcalf
BREAKING: The Seahawks are trading DK Metcalf to the Steelers, multiple sources tell NFL on FOX. The Steelers have been trying to acquire another big time wide receiver for quite some time. GM Omar Khan has been hot on DK Metcalf ever since the trade request became public, surveying the market and ensuring he could pay the Pro Bowler what was necessary.
– Jordan Schultz, Fox Sports
The Steelers were able to acquire Metcalf for a mere second-round pick in April’s draft. A light amount of compensation for a WR of his stature, the same can’t be said for his contract extension.
Metcalf upon the trade becoming official will be given a five year, $150m contract, per multiple sources. The recently turned 27-year-old still had two years on his deal, so he is under contract with the Steelers until he turns 33 years old.
A question that many had whenever the trade request became official, is what would this do for the Steelers QB situation if they were able to acquire Metcalf?
Well, now we will find out.
One of the best WRs in the league, Metcalf is a vertical threat on the perimeter who pairs perfectly with Russell Wilson’s moonball and willingness to throw outside the numbers.
Oh, and the two spent three seasons together in the Pacific Northwest, where Metcalf blossomed into one of the best WRs in the league, and Wilson continued to earn his way to Pro Bowls.
The issue here is that the Steelers preferred option at QB is Justin Fields, who obviously doesn’t have the same familiarity with the star WR that Wilson does.
So this trade certainly throws a wrench in things. If Justin Fields drags his feet and wants to test free agency (which all signs point to) the team could turn to option B: Signing Russell Wilson.
A Metcalf trade may have just turned the tides in terms of who is back in Pittsburgh, or who’s coming in.