NFL Free Agency Hasn’t Begun, but Biggest Pay May Come to Traded Stars

Two Pro Bowlers—DK Metcalf and Trey Hendrickson—could be on the move soon.

The Seahawks’ two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver requested a trade Wednesday, the same day the team released Tyler Lockett, another receiver and the longest-tenured player on the roster. 

Seattle is seeking a first- and third-round pick in exchange for Metcalf, according to The Athletic. 

While this is likely the Seahawks’ initial asking price, a first- and third-rounder for Metcalf is similar to the haul the Titans received when they traded A.J. Brown to the Eagles in 2022. However, Brown was 24 at the time. Metcalf is currently 27. 

Just last week, the 49ers traded 29-year-old Deebo Samuel to the Commanders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Metcalf (6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns) has been a more productive receiver than Samuel (4,792 yards and 22 touchdowns) over the last six regular seasons, especially given the injury-riddled season the former Pro Bowler had last year, but the haul for him was nowhere near the asking price of the Seahawks for Metcalf. 

Another complicating factor in a potential Metcalf trade is his contract. He is entering the final year of a three-year, $72 million deal and has a $31.8 million cap hit—currently the highest in the NFL, per Over The Cap.

The Athletic reported Metcalf is seeking a deal that would pay him $30 million a year, which would put him in a tie with Tyreek Hill and Brandon Aiyuk as the fifth-highest-paid wide receiver in terms of average annual value. His current contract has him 13th in the league—though he tied for sixth when he signed the deal in 2022.

Change Coming in Cincy

According to multiple reports, Hendrickson, the Bengals’ star defensive end, has been permitted by the team to seek a trade. 

The news comes a year after the Bengals narrowly missed the playoffs despite their offense leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns as their defense finished 25th in total defense. Hendrickson was one of their few bright spots on defense, leading the league with 17.5 sacks last season.

The 30-year-old was on a four-year, $60 million deal that ran through 2024, but he signed a one-year extension in 2023 for $21 million. Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby just became the highest-paid non-quarterback in football, signing an extension worth $35.5 million per year. Hendrickson clearly noticed.

The Bengals are facing questions about the future of two other key players, as the team is looking to sign wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to a record extension while also trying to secure fellow receiver Tee Higgins to a long-term deal after placing the franchise tag on him for the second straight year.