Fans have an affinity for players who stay on a team despite widespread pushes calling for them to leave. Even though the circumstances may be far from ideal, in some cases, when players find a home—and something works— most stick with what is familiar to them rather than transitioning from that success. Winning should be the central focus for players, but when the stars align for players in a location, familiarity and comfortability become a priority.

The Seattle Seahawks are in a transition period. Alongside trading their franchise Quarterback Russell Wilson, the team’s 2010s contender status is in the past. Not many predict the Seahawks to make a deep playoff run, even though the team still relies on future Hall of Fame Head Coach Pete Carroll. Even though the Seahawks remain in the NFL’s cellar, the team chose to keep one of its current stars.

D.K. Metcalf signed a three-year $72 million extension with Seattle. Before the contract extension, Metcalf was amongst the biggest NFL names rumored to be on the trade block, given the status of the Seahawks. Metcalf could have vocally echoed frustration with the direction of the team currently but instead decided staying in Seattle was his best option. Many will argue that D.K. does not prioritize winning in the NFL by not demanding a trade, but his loyalty to Seattle is the main reason he chose to re-sign, alongside the dollar figures.

Metcalf proved in his three seasons his NFL talent with Wilson as his primary quarterback. Now that the team moved their cornerstone and toiled with inconsistency in Drew Lock, people will monitor Metcalf’s production on a team with little to focus. How the Seattle receiver produces without Russ will be one of the biggest storylines surrounding Seattle in 2022-23.

In the present, the Seahawks think D.K. Metcalf is a building block if the team returns to contending status over the contract duration. In the short term, people will question his dedication to playing winning football with millions in his pocket. No matter how the contract plays out and if he can sustain his production, Metcalf’s commitment to Seattle was one of the most vital factors in the extension, even amongst the team’s status in the NFC West.

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