Ever since Pete Carroll quit Seattle last year, the Seahawks have never been the same. Perhaps the very reason why DK Metcalf left the team despite having a year left in his contract. An organization that drafted him in 2019 and made him the face of their franchise, Metcalf, never wanted to leave the Seahawks in the first place. But ever since Mike Macdonald replaced Carroll as the head coach, the 27-year-old wide receiver started feeling like an “outsider.” While we never got to know Seattle’s thought process behind letting a premium WR go, three months after the trade, the Seahawks GM has finally unveiled the curtain.

HC Macdonald and Metcalf never really seemed to get along in Seattle. Even when the Seahawks traded probably the NFL’s most premium WR at the moment, Macdonald believed it was the “best decision” for the franchise. Metcalf, on the other hand, believed that “the grass is greener on the other side.” Putting an end to all the back and forth, the Seahawks GM opened up about an open conversation he had with DK regarding his Seattle future.

438 catches, 6,324 yards, and 48 touchdowns in the last six years, who would not want to keep such a power performer? But Schneider did not really have any choice. “DK and I had very open conversations last couple of years, and 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. That’s what drives us….And it was apparent that he wanted to move on,” GM Schneider said during his appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on May 15. The GM went on to explain that the real talks started after the NFL Combine.

And so, “[at] that point, (we) decided it was probably best for both of us to move forward.” He made it clear, saying the talks were interesting and that no drama happened. According to Schneider, “It was like…somebody’s really, really wanted a fresh start. It’s not like we went into the offseason thinking this would be a possibility, but he was pretty dug in on it. So, it ended up working out for both clubs, working out for us, and working out for Pittsburgh, and we wish him the best. He’s a great guy and obviously a high-end competitor.”

DK Metcalf’s Seattle legacy remains solid and unforgettable. Now, as he gears up to suit up in Black and Gold, the WR made sure to share his love for the city that believed in him first. In an emotional goodbye, he wrote, “Thank you for taking a kid from Mississippi and making him feel at home in the Pacific Northwest. From the city to the organization to the 12s – you’ve been more than just a fanbase. You’ve been a family….And to the 12s … man, y’all are different….It’s never easy to say goodbye, and leaving this city that took a chance on me 6 years ago is tough. But this isn’t the end – it’s just the next chapter. No matter where I go, I’ll always carry the 206 with me.” That message said it all.

“I had a chance to play with some great players—from [Russell Wilson] to [Bobby Wagner], to [Marshawn Lynch], [Tyler Lockett] as well. I got a chance to meet some greats like Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman—but you know, it’s just time for me to move on. I think it’s, ‘the grass is greener on the other side,” the WR had also said during a different conversation this March.

But with the veteran gone, what is going to be Mike MacDonald’s plan moving forward?

Post DK Metcalf, Seahawks pay attention to Sam Darnold

The Seahawks wasted no time pivoting. In addition to trading Metcalf, they signed QB Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal. They also drafted Alabama QB Jalen Milroe in the third round in the 2025 NFL Draft. Their moves this offseason have signaled urgency and belief. On the Rich Eisen Show, GM John Schneider explained how it all came together.

He revealed, “Mike Macdonald gave Sam [Darnold] a heads up. And it was kind of within that period…like, ‘Hey, this isn’t about you. This is about acquiring an impact player in our opinion’.” So, the HC gave Darnold a heads-up early, making it clear the big moves weren’t about replacing him; they were about building something stronger. Schneider said they stayed in touch with Darnold all weekend and also kept backup Drew Lock informed.

When asked about expectations from Darnold, Schneider didn’t sugarcoat it. He said his expectations are “very high, very high.” The GM further talked about Darnold’s steady growth, from San Francisco under Kyle Shanahan to last season with Kevin O’Connell. But it’s not just about the now. Schneider lit up when talking about rookie Jalen Milroe. He said the kid’s got those jaw-dropping moments that remind him of a young Brett Favre. Sure, he’s raw. But when Milroe takes off and hits 22 mph on a 60-yard run? That’s not normal. That’s special.

So, right now, Darnold’s the guy. But the future’s brewing behind him. Seattle’s plan is clear after losing DK Metcalf and bringing in Cooper Kupp – win now, build next. And they’re all in!