If DK Metcalf becomes a surprise free agent in 2026, the Los Angeles Rams might want to kick the tires on him as an heir apparent to Davante Adams and somebody who might thrive, as other receivers have, with Matthew Stafford. How could this even be possible just a year after the Pittsburgh Steelers traded a second round pick for Metcalf and paid him a new four-year, $132 million contract extension?
Because Metcalf’s biggest mental mistake yet is one that could cost him over $25 million if the Steelers decide that he isn’t worth the trouble.
By now you’ve already heard that Metcalf had a physical altercation with a Detroit Lions fan on Sunday and was subsequently suspended by the NFL for two games. Unless Metcalf has the suspension entirely overturned, which nobody thinks is possible, the Steelers can void all of his guarantees moving forward. That makes Metcalf a potential one-and-done in Pittsburgh despite having $60 million fully-guaranteed on his contract this year, but as Mike Florio pointed out, “the only guaranteed money is the kind you put in your pocket…and sometimes not even that.”
The Steelers will have every right to void Metcalf’s contract after 2025 with no more financial obligations, including the $25 million base salary in 2026 that is supposed to be guaranteed, because that’s their right if Metcalf is suspended for conduct detrimental to the league. That’s what this suspension falls under, so Metcalf has potentially cost himself over $27 million.
Few people would think right now that the Steelers would release Metcalf after the season, especially given how bad the receivers room is going to look this week without him, but Pittsburgh could have a ton of buyer’s remorse right now. Not only because Metcalf isn’t a statistical beast (and never has been) but just merely from the fact that once again the receiver is in trouble for his attitude and behavior.
Does this guy have an ounce of self control?
Metcalf has caught 59 passes for 850 yards with six touchdowns during his first season with the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh’s next-leading wide receiver is Calvin Austin, who has 317 yards. Kenneth Gainwell is second on the team in receiving yards with 410. The Steelers don’t have any other weapons, but some of that production could be blamed on Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
With or without Metcalf, the Steelers need to get more receiver help in 2026. They might be able to do more adding to the roster if they had an extra $25 million to spend.
On the off chance that the Steelers do part with DK Metcalf then one team that might show up on his wish list, and vice versa, is the Los Angeles Rams.
Why the Rams make sense
Davante Adams will be 34 next year and his current hamstring issues fall under the same “causes for concern” that ultimately got Cooper Kupp released in 2025. Can the Rams honestly depend on Adams to return next year and play 17 games + playoffs?
That would be the type of confidence that all of us wish we had a lot more of…but deep down we know is not even close to realistic.
If Adams is released or retires in 2026, the Rams will save $14 million against the salary cap and $18 million in base salary. If that happens, L.A. has a MASSIVE hole on offense opposite of Puka Nacua. It’s not going to be filled by Tutu Atwell in any shape, form, or SIZE. It’s unrealistic to expect Jordan Whittington or Konata Mumpfield to immediately step in and fill that void. Mumpfield was targeted 8 times against the Seahawks, catching three passes for 40 yards.
Either through the draft, trade, or free agency, Les Snead’s next move at receiver has to be an external addition. There will be plenty of those options to consider — some of whom probably are better ideas than Metcalf, if he’s even released by the Steelers — but at some point you have to think that Snead, McVay, and Stafford confer and decide that maybe they’re the group that can fix one of the NFL’s greatest underachieving talents.
We know that the Rams might have a leadership problem and Metcalf wouldn’t help fix those.
But look at how much better other receivers, including Adams, have played because they linked up with Stafford. Look at Kupp’s career year. Look at Puka’s career. Look at the difference between Adams on the Raiders and Jets compared to Adams in 2025. Metcalf could be the ideal replacement for Adams if it turns out that L.A. is on the market for a replacement next year.
Which seems like a route the Rams might need to take given Adams’ age and injury concerns.
Should the Rams add Metcalf?
A lot of Rams fans will hate this idea for a number of reasons:
- “He’s a head case”
- “He’s a Seahawk”‘
- “He’s an athletic freak with no football skills”
Believe it or not, I would agree that Metcalf is a lot more trouble than he’s worth. I’ve always thought that Metcalf is one of the most overrated players in the NFL and the Steelers made a huge miscalculation when they traded a second rounder for him and overpaid him. He’s simply not that guy. You don’t do either of those things for an unreliable player like Metcalf who doesn’t make enough contested catches for a guy his size and is getting into more fights than he is getting into the end zone.
That being said, Stafford has helped “fix” a lot of receivers in his career and if it were any other team I’d say it’s a no. On the Rams however, DK Metcalf could be the best version of himself that we’ve ever seen. Especially if McVay and Stafford can turn him into a goal line threat like they’ve done with Adams.
The Steelers may realize their mistake and void his guarantees. If they do, the Rams might need to be the team to take advantage of that situation while he’s down and buy low.
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