Former Seahawks WR Calls Out DK Metcalf: ‘Slightly Overrated’
Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bryan Walters did not hold back on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. He thinks the ex-Seahawks wide receiver is overrated.
“I’ve been very vocal about kind of my thoughts on DK as a wide receiver… and you know, maybe I’ll be a little nice I guess, but slightly overrated,” Walters said during an appearance on the Brock & Salk show on Seattle Sports radio. “I think he’s gonna do well in Pittsburgh, but at the same time I just think that they really revamped this wide receiver room to fit that (Klint) Kubiak scheme and a lot of guys that are better route runners and guys that just kinda complement each other. I think (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and Cooper Kupp are gonna be so fun to watch together.”
Pro Football Focus revealed their top 32 wide receivers in the NFL ahead of the 2025 season, and Metcalf came in at No. 23. PFF considers Metcalf a “tier 4 wide receiver.” He’s in a group that includes DeVonta Smith, Chris Godwin, Brandon Aiyuk, D.J. Moore, Jaylen Waddle, Ladd McConkey and Chris Olave.
“Metcalf didn’t have his best season in 2024 and finished with a 75.0 receiving grade, but he’s been remarkably consistent throughout his career, never posting a grade below 73.0. Since 2019, he’s recorded 89 contested catches, and now he’ll look to reset with a fresh start in Pittsburgh,” Trevor Sikkema of PFF wrote.
It’s not often a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver becomes available to acquire, but that’s exactly what happened with Metcalf and the Steelers this offseason. Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider recently explained why they were open to trading the star wide receiver.
“DK and I had very open conversations the last couple years about his future, and what that looked like and what he wanted. We always have to do what’s best for the organization, first and foremost,” Schneider said on the Rich Eisen Show. “It was apparent that he wanted to move on, and so, when we got back from the Combine, we had some real, clear, direct conversations. And at that point, we decided it was probably best for both of us to move forward.”
That timeline does line up with what was originally reported. Shortly after the NFL Scouting Combine, Metcalf formally requested a trade from the Seahawks on March 5. He was traded to the Steelers just four days later.
As part of the deal, Pittsburgh also gave Metcalf a massive five-year, $150 million contract. But Schneider revealed Metcalf’s trade request was never about money.
“No, it really wasn’t [salary-related]. It was interesting because it wasn’t like animosity, either. It was like, he really, really wanted a fresh start,” Schneider said. “And it’s not like we went into the offseason thinking this would be a possibility, but he was just pretty dug into it. So it ended up working out for both clubs, working out for us and working out for Pittsburgh. We wish him the best. He’s a great guy and obviously a high-end competitor.”
The Steelers were more than happy to be on the other side of the deal. They’re getting a 27-year-old wide receiver who has never had less than 900 yards and five touchdowns in each of his first six seasons.
Metcalf’s 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame was the biggest attraction to the Steelers.
“Size. He [DK Metcalf] did a press conference, right? Yeah. I mean, you saw him. He’s a playmaker. I’m really enjoying getting to know him,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said in at the NFL owners meetings in March. “I think you guys will too. He has a desire to win and be great, and I love that about him, and I am just excited about what he’s going to bring to the club.”
Khan said Metcalf was aware of the Steelers’ plans at quarterback and was on board before signing his five-year, $150 million deal with the team.
“We had a lot of conversations,” Khan said. “He had conversations with the coaches and myself about the roster and the team, and we had some candid conversations, and he knew what our plans were. It’s still all coming together.”
Aaron Becker contributed reporting for this story.