Colts Have Massive Opportunity to Trade for D.K. Metcalf

The Indianapolis Colts are nearing the NFL's free agency period starting next week and will put Anthony Richardson at the highest peak of priorities to achieve in the 2025 season. More firepower on defense is needed, but it's always good to add weapons downfield for a young quarterback.

It was reported that Seattle Seahawks powerhouse pass-catcher D.K. Metcalf requested a trade after six seasons.

Two-time Pro Bowl WR DK Metcalf has requested a trade and the #Seahawks have agreed to explore options, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

Days before free agency, the 27-year-old Metcalf immediately becomes the top receiver available. pic.twitter.com/DBsoZwGguL
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2025

Metcalf has been a staple of Seattle's offense and notched two Pro Bowl nominations during his time on the West Coast. Throughout his dominant career, he's been explosive, catching 438 passes for 6,324 receiving yards, 48 touchdowns, and 284 first downs.

In 2020 (10) and 2021 (12), he collected 10 or more touchdown receptions and has never dipped under five scores during his NFL tenure. Simply put, Metcalf has a nose for the endzone and is a physically imposing receiver who out-muscles and out-paces his defensive competition.

Screw it, 5 minutes of DK Metcalf highlights… pic.twitter.com/7I2sy7AfOp
— Pick6 (@Pick6) March 5, 2025

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However, the Colts are unlikely candidates to land Metcalf due to what he'll cost in a trade with the Seahawks. Seattle is entertaining his trade request probably due to the $10.875 million they'll save by dealing him. (Spotrac).

Yes, the Colts have a secure receiver room with names like Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, and Anthony Gould, but Metcalf likely supersedes them all and would slot in as the number one receiver.

Metcalf isn't just a receiver who gets downfield for big plays, he's also a pure monster once the ball is in his possession with the ability to break away and take any pass caught to the house, exemplified by his career per reception average of 14.4.

Pairing Richardson with Metcalf is fantastic, but Seattle won't make a trade easy. Expect Seattle to ask for draft compensation like a first and second rounder, possibly 2025 or 2026. They might also demand an additional player or more picks than mentioned previously. This isn't usually the Chris Ballard way and the Colts need more on defense than offense.

But if Indy wanted to bolster their offense, it's a trade that is great for Richardson and Shane Steichen. The Colts don't have a downfield weapon outside of Pierce, and Metcalf would help take the top off of any coverage.

However, it's a pipe dream for any Colts fan anticipating a trade. Metcalf's contract is also going to be expensive for his next suitor. His dollar amount might hover around $30 million and the Colts' cap situation, while solid, isn't amazing ($35,434,247). If they trade for Metcalf they'll need to use a sizeable amount of that.

The Colts have so many areas (mostly defensively) of their roster to help in 2025. It's a team that has to make difficult decisions on in-house free agents while trying to help new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and quarterback Richardson. We'll see how Ballard operates ahead of free agency getting underway, but a trade for a receiver like Metcalf is probably not happening.

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