Brendon Nelson· Sep 21, 2026
Nelson argues the Seahawks decisively won the D.K. Metcalf trade, hints Metcalf's Pittsburgh tenure could end soon, and claims Jaxon Smith-Njigba may now be the best receiver in football.
“Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become perhaps the #1 receiver in all of football, and all the other wideouts on the team combined cost about as much as Metcalf.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
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- Trade and Signing CallsDK MetcalfSep 21, 2026
DK Metcalf to move — “could very well end sooner rather than later”
“as Metcalf's Pittsburgh career continues to fizzle (and could very well end sooner rather than later if this keeps up)”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Noah StrackbeinRoster Spot Calls · DK MetcalfHit · 100Strackbein predicts the Steelers will keep six wide receivers on the 53-man roster: DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek and Kaden Wetjen.
- Rich EisenTrade and Signing Calls · DK MetcalfHit · 100Eisen delivered his "power rankings" of the best landing spots for free agent Davante Adams, topping the list with the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, and he also stated that Seattle will grant DK Metcalf's trade request.
- Dan PizzutaPositional Finishes · DK MetcalfClose · 58Pizzuta offers bold 2022 predictions: Trey Lance finishes top-10 in EPA per dropback, DK Metcalf lands top-10 in receiving yards, the Giants finish with the league's worst record, Maxx Crosby leads the NFL in sacks, Desmond Ridder outplays and starts more games than Kenny Pickett, the Panthers grab a wild card, Justin Herbert wins MVP, and the Chiefs beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
- Derek BrownDepth Chart Calls · DK MetcalfPendingIn his Week 1 wide receiver start/sit column, Brown argues Christian Watson is Green Bay's clear No. 1 receiver, Quentin Johnston can be the Chargers' WR1, D.K. Metcalf will lead Pittsburgh's passing game in the opener, and Carolina's passing attack will run through Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.
- John MiddlekauffDepth Chart Calls · DK MetcalfPendingMiddlekauff previews the NFL opener, picking Seattle to beat New England at home while expecting the Patriots to land in the 9-10 win range and miss the playoffs, taking Pittsburgh as his third AFC playoff team over Baltimore and New England, standing by Seattle as a Super Bowl participant, ranking the three head coaches involved, and describing Pittsburgh's receivers as a collection of No. 2s.
- Jack MarkowskiDepth Chart Calls · DK MetcalfPendingMarkowski expects DK Metcalf to be more productive in 2026 under Mike McCarthy's new scheme, serving as Pittsburgh's top receiver and likely topping 1,000 receiving yards.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Adam CarlsonTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Named several players as candidates to be traded before Sunday's cut deadline, including Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy, Cardinals edge Josh Sweat and Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100A CBS Sports piece lists veterans it expects could be traded before the 53-man roster deadline, including quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (with Buffalo floated as a landing spot), J.J. McCarthy and Will Howard, plus Jerry Jeudy, Joey Porter Jr., Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, Josh Sweat, Kristian Fulton and Marist Liufau. It also says Mason Rudolph's and Drew Allar's roster spots in Pittsburgh are secure.
- Matthew CollerTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Coller argues J.J. McCarthy's development is far behind schedule and that he will likely end up needing a fresh start with another team rather than developing into the Vikings' answer at quarterback.