On Sunday, Sept. 14, the Seattle Seahawks play the Pittsburgh Steelers. In almost every respect, it’s an ordinary, even benign game between non-conference opponents that will likely scrap for Wild Card spots. Of course, almost is the keyword. One subplot makes the game a must-watch: It’s the first time DK Metcalf will face his former team since being traded in March.
The anticipation of a revenge game is on everyone’s mind–except for Metcalf, that is. He says the Seahawks’ matchup is no different from any other game.
“Y’all are going to make it a big deal,” Metcalf told the Associated Press on Wednesday. “I’m not.”
The two-time Pro Bowler added, “No extra juice this week. It’s just another team on the schedule that just so happens to be playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’ve got to go out there and do everything that we can to try to win. It’s just another football game. Prepare for it like any other football game, because after this, you’ve got to prepare for the next opponent. The next step on the schedule. It’s just how it is. It’s not different at all.”
Tomlin Adds Fuel to the Fire
Metcalf’s head coach, Mike Tomlin, was more vocal on the matter. In a press conference earlier this week, Tomlin was asked if the game held added significance due to Metcalf’s history with the Seahawks.
“I haven’t talked to [DK] about it whatsoever,” Tomlin said. “I don’t know that I’ve seen him since we got off the airplane, got back here, in a one-on-one-like capacity…But common sense would tell you that it certainly does. They drafted him. He played there a number of years. Whether or not he will acknowledge it is up to him.”
The Seahawks selected Metcalf in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft at No. 64 overall. The Ole Miss standout was an internet sensation leading up to the draft because of his speed, size, and athleticism (as well as a few viral weight room pictures with college teammate A.J. Brown). However, injury concerns and questions about his route running caused Metcalf to fall behind receivers like N’Keal Harry, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Parris Campbell, and Andy Isabella.
Metcalf found immediate success in Seattle, finishing his rookie year with 900 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in his second season and chosen as a second-team All-Pro. In six seasons with the Seahawks, Metcalf played 97 games and logged 438 receptions, 6,324 yards, and 48 touchdowns through the air.
Concerns About the Seahawks Secondary
Even though Metcalf says there’s no added desire to dominate his former team, the matchup is worrisome for Seahawks fans. Multiple players in the secondary are dealing with injuries. Pro-Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee), as well as safeties Nick Emmanwori (ankle) and Julian Love (groin), are questionable for Sunday.
The secondary was also a major storyline in the Seahawks’ Week 1 game against the 49ers. While the unit performed well overall, some miscues in the fourth quarter fueled the 49ers’ comeback victory. Embattled cornerback Riq Woolen, now in jeopardy of losing his starting spot, allowed two completions on the 49ers’ game-winning drive, including the final touchdown catch to tight end Jake Tonges.
The Seahawks elevated cornerback Shaquill Griffin off the practice squad this week to add depth, and perhaps a veteran presence, to the DB room. Griffin, who played alongside Metcalf for two seasons in Seattle, said the team isn’t focused on the revenge-game aspect. The goal is to get their first win of the 2025 season.
“We’re not sitting here just saying, ‘We only want to game plan against DK because we want to get something out of it,’” Griffin said. “We’re going to make the plays that we need to make against him. But, also, man, we’re getting ready to try to get back on track and start getting these W’s stacked up and getting that first win so we can make this run.”
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