Seattle Seahawks' Pete Carroll Places Blame For DK Metcalf's Penalty vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Seattle Seahawks are fresh off a 17-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Several things contributed to the loss, including five penalties for 43 yards.

The Seattle Seahawks are fresh off a 17-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Several things contributed to the loss, including five penalties for 43 yards.

One penalty that frustrated the Seahawks was an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on receiver DK Metcalf in the second quarter. It was a penalty that occurred away from the play, on a pass from quarterback Geno Smith to running back Zach Charbonnet that gained just four yards.

Metcalf was engaged in a block downfield, and did not release at the whistle, then violently shoved the defender, Bengals corner Cam Taylor-Britt, to the ground after the play was dead.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll addressed the penalty after the game.

“On the penalty, he was way downfield and he was still getting after the guy and didn’t hear the whistle," Carroll said. "The official saw the play end and saw the hit come after that; he just figured it was way too late. We talked about it. The official was there explaining it, DK (Metcalf) was right there, we really just talked it out. I said, ‘Maybe you could help us, you could realize if somebody is behind you, blow the whistle again to help just knowing that could happen.’ That was basically what we really talked through it clearly.”

DK Metcalf got hit with a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty for this cheapshot on Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt. pic.twitter.com/o0MinoCSbS

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 15, 2023

The play moved the ball from the Seattle 40-yard line to the 25-yard line and 2nd and 21 situation. The Seahawks converted the first down on the next play with a 32-yard completion from Smith to wideout Tyler Lockett. But the drive eventually stalled at the Cincinnati 41-yard line, forcing a punt. 

Metcalf has already received multiple fines this season for unnecessary roughness penalties. It's possible he receives another fine for this instance.

The Seahawks host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.