Seahawks earn low marks for Geno Smith, DK Metcalf trades from NFL.com

NFL.com analyst unimpressed with Seattle's two offseason trades

Dec 4, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrates with wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Seattle Seahawks kicked off the 2025 NFL offseason with a bang, trading away starting quarterback Geno Smith and Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf for draft picks. Despite adding Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp, it's up for debate whether or not the team improved through these moves.

Smith, 34, was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders where he'll reunite with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. Metcalf, who's still arguably in his prime, netted Seattle a mid-second-round pick and a seventh-rounder.

NFL.com released a new feature grading every major offseason trade in 2025. The Seahawks earned underwhelming marks for both the Metcalf and Smith trades. Seattle received a "C+" grade for trading Smith to the Raiders for a third-round pick.

"I've already said my piece about the Seahawks essentially swapping Smith for a mid-round pick to get younger and cheaper under center," wrote NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "I get the logic, but until Seattle's offensive line is fixed, it won't show up in the win column."

While Smith isn't exactly a top-five NFL quarterback, he's arguably in the top 10 based on his production over the last three seasons. Getting just a third-round pick in return feels somewhat low, even considering Smith's age.

Dec 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images | Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

As for the Metcalf trade, the Seahawks earned another "C+" grade from NFL.com.

"The Seahawks presumably didn't want to extend Metcalf at his desired dollar amount. I understand not wanting to pay through the nose for a player who is Pro Bowl caliber but not quite All-Pro," Patra explained. "Still, what Metcalf landed from the Steelers is becoming the going rate. It's undeniable that Seattle was better with DK than sans DK."

Metcalf was not going to be happy until he received a new contract, but would the team have been better off paying the former second-round pick instead of trading him?

The answer depends on how well (and how much) Cooper Kupp plays for the Seahawks this season. If Metcalf continues to produce at a high level in Pittsburgh, this move will be even tougher for fans to digest in 2025.

Over six NFL seasons, Metcalf has recorded 438 catches for 6,324 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns.

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