Connect with us

Sports

DK Metcalf trade grades: Steelers add game-changing talent; Seahawks’ overhaul continues

Published

on

DK Metcalf trade grades: Steelers add game-changing talent; Seahawks’ overhaul continues

The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to trade wide receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second-round pick in the 2025 draft, according to league sources.

Why they made the move

The Seahawks entered the offseason intent on keeping Metcalf on an extension that would have kept both sides happy, but Metcalf requested a trade last week.

The Seahawks want a physical, run-heavy identity on offense, so they must have drawn a line in the sand at the $30 million market rate for premium receivers. Metcalf had a year remaining on his contract, so this was likely when his trade value would be at its highest. The Seahawks will receive the No. 52 pick from Pittsburgh.

The Steelers, meanwhile, have had their issues at receiver in recent years. Productive performers such as Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool fizzled out before being shipped away, and veteran acquisitions such as Allen Robinson and Mike Williams never took off. They tried to acquire San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk last offseason but couldn’t make it happen.

Metcalf has racked up at least 900 receiving yards in all six of his NFL seasons, including three topping 1,000 yards. He’s averaged eight touchdowns per year. Though not always a high-volume pass catcher — he topped out at 90 receptions in 2022 before grabbing 66 balls each of the past two seasons — Metcalf has the downfield, physical ability to mesh well with Pittsburgh’s offense, assuming the Steelers figure something out at quarterback.

Advertisement

Steelers trade grade: B+

The Steelers just proved they aren’t afraid to go after it, as this move certainly qualifies as that.

By locking Metcalf into a five-year, $150 million contract, the Steelers have made their biggest splash at wideout, where their track record of drafting and developing the position has hit a valley in recent years (except George Pickens). But the combination of Metcalf and Pickens will be a nightmare for opposing secondaries, so long as Pickens can jell with the more proven wideout.

Both receivers play with their shoes on fire. They can be fearsome when the ball is in the air and devastating after the catch; and both stretch the field, which will help underneath options such as tight end Pat Freiermuth and receiver Calvin Austin.

The question, which figures to be answered very soon: What happens at quarterback?

Advertisement

The Steelers had mixed results with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields last offseason. Both are free agents along with a hit-or-miss group that includes Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones. The draft class is down this year, too. Sitting at No. 21 in the first round, the Steelers likely will have to wait to see what comes to them.

They got a marquee skill player. Now, they’ve got to find out who’s controlling the machine, though perhaps this move makes them a more attractive landing spot for available quarterbacks.

Seahawks trade grade: B

This quickly turned into a transitional type of offseason for the Seahawks, who agreed to trade quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and released wideout Tyler Lockett. They also hired offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to replace Ryan Grubb.

The Seahawks will build around wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running backs Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet, but they’ll need to shore up an offensive line that’s been talented but injury-plagued for a couple of years. And, of course, they also need a quarterback, though there’s plenty of buzz around Darnold heading to the Pacific Northwest. If that doesn’t happen — or they enter the draft without a proven veteran starter on the roster — the Seahawks’ plan will come into much greater scrutiny.

GO DEEPER

Advertisement

Dugar: Whatever the Seahawks’ plan is after trading Geno Smith, it sure better work

General manager John Schneider and his staff have been on a heater in the draft as of late, so the extra capital is enticing. They’re picking at No. 18 in the first round and have Nos. 50 and 52 in the second along with a couple of third-rounders.

The Seahawks found themselves in a tough spot with Metcalf’s trade request. It’s understandable why they’re pivoting, but it’s now time to execute the vision.

(Photo: Jane Gershovich / Getty Images)

Advertisement

Sports

Auburn fans shower officials with debris after wild buzzer-beater gets overturned

Published

on

Auburn fans shower officials with debris after wild buzzer-beater gets overturned

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A chaotic scene unfolded at Auburn University on Tuesday night as a wild buzzer-beater was waved off well after the Tigers had celebrated on their own court.

With 0.6 seconds remaining and Auburn trailing 90-88, KeShawn Murphy, somehow left wide open, caught an inbounds pass and nailed a long 3-pointer for what was thought to be the game-winner.

However, officials went to the scorer’s table to review the play, which was awfully close.

 

Advertisement

Auburn Tigers players watch the replay of a possible game-winning shot that was called back as Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (Jake Crandall/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Ultimately, officials ruled that the shot had not gone off in time, ending the Tigers’ celebration and prompting one from Texas A&M.

The officials quickly made themselves public enemy number one and were showered with debris from fans on their way off the court. At least one referee needed his head to be covered.

One fan sitting courtside even turned his back and threw his drink over his shoulder aimed at an official.

“They didn’t say a word. They just said it was no good and ran off the floor. I probably wouldn’t want to talk to me in that moment, anyway,” Auburn head coach Steven Pearl, who took over for his dad, Bruce this season, said after the game. “So, I get why they’d run away from me. Just from the angles that I saw, it looked like it was off his fingers. But that was just, I don’t have all the same angles they have.”

Advertisement

Texas A&M Aggies players celebrate victory as Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies at Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (Jake Crandall/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

LOOKING BACK AT THE SPORTS GAMBLING CONTROVERSIES THROUGHOUT 2025, WITH NBA AND MLB INVESTIGATIONS LEADING WAY

It is now six losses in their last 10 games for the Tigers after starting 5-1. They lost in the Final Four last year to Florida, who won the national championship over Houston.

Auburn (9-6, 0-2) led 47-37 at halftime and extended the margin to 61-45 with 12:29 remaining.

KeShawn Murphy of the Auburn Tigers reacts after officials ruled that his last-second shot did not beat the shot clock to win the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Neville Arena on Jan. 6, 2026 in Auburn, Alabama. (Stew Milne/Getty Images)

Advertisement

Texas A&M answered with a steady run fueled by outside shooting, taking its first lead at 8:42 when Pop Isaacs buried a 3-pointer. The Aggies followed with back-to-back triples from Isaacs to open a five-point cushion that they would not relinquish, by the skin of their teeth.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Former NFL player Jordan Shipley is in critical condition after accident on his ranch

Published

on

Former NFL player Jordan Shipley is in critical condition after accident on his ranch

Two-time All-American wide receiver and prominent Outdoors Channel host Jordan Shipley is in critical condition after an accident on his ranch in Texas, his family said in a statement.

Shipley, 40, was described as stable after remaining hospitalized Tuesday night in Austin. The statement said a machine that he was operating near his hometown of Burnet caught fire. The former Texas great suffered “severe burns on his body.”

Shipley abruptly retired in 2012 after three NFL seasons primarily because of persistent concussion issues and chronic knee problems. He quickly transitioned to television shows that showcased his passion for deer hunting, co-hosting “The Bucks of Tecomate” and “Tecomate Whitetail Nation.”

“It was not hard at all,” Shipley said at the time of retiring at 27. “Only because I never saw myself as a football player first. Don’t get me wrong, I worked my tail off for football and I loved it but never saw that as my whole identity because I had such a big background in outdoors. Really, with this opportunity I had I was actually pretty excited about moving forward.”

Although he enjoyed a strong rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010 with 52 receptions for 600 yards and three touchdowns, he is best remembered as a record-setting player at Texas.

Advertisement

Shipley starred as a receiver and a kick returner from 2006 to 2009, setting program single-season records in 2009 with 116 receptions and 1,489 yards. He also remains the career leader for receptions with 248 and ranks second in career receiving yards with 3,191, behind Roy Williams. Shipley also returned four punts or kickoffs for touchdowns.

After being drafted in the third round by the Bengals, he became one of the most popular players with Cincinnati fans, and his No. 11 jersey was worn by thousands. After a debilitating knee injury early in the 2011 season, he was never the same player, and he had short stints with Tampa Bay and Jacksonville before retiring.

According to his family, Jordan was operating a machine at his ranch when it caught fire. He managed to free himself from the machine, but “not before sustaining severe burns on his body in the process.” Jordan was airlifted to the hospital in Austin.

“He was able to get to one of his workers on the ranch, who drove him to a local hospital. He was then care-flighted to Austin, where he remains in critical but stable condition,” the statement said.

Shipley’s younger brother, former Texas wide receiver Jaxon Shipley, 33, asked for prayers in a statement on Instagram: “Please pray for full healing and no infections or other issues on his road to recovery. I don’t want to get into all the details, other than his life was spared today by the grace of God and the sheer will to live. I believe prayer is effective so I’m asking anyone and everyone to lift Jordan up in prayer.”

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Sports

Tom Izzo explodes on former Michigan State player in wild scene: ‘What the f— are you doing?’

Published

on

Tom Izzo explodes on former Michigan State player in wild scene: ‘What the f— are you doing?’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo has been known to get visibly angry with his players over his years in East Lansing, but what happened Monday night against USC was different.

Izzo let loose his frustration on a former player.

During the Spartans’ blowout over the Trojans, 80-51, Izzo was spotted unloading on former Michigan State center Paul Davis, who played for the team from 2002-06, after he caused a disturbance in the stands.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Advertisement

Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a call during a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena Jan. 2, 2026, in Lincoln, Neb. (Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Referees pointed out Davis, who was a spectator, from his courtside seat after he was among many in the building who disagreed with a call in the second half. Davis stood up and shouted at referee Jeffrey Anderson.

Anderson responded with a loud whistle, stopping play and pointing at Davis. Then, Anderson went over to Izzo to explain what happened, and the 70-year-old coach went ballistic.

2026 MEN’S NCAA TOURNAMENT PROJECTIONS: NEBRASKA’S RISE CONTINUES, NOW A NO. 2 SEED

First, he was motioning toward Davis, and it was clear he asked his former center, “What the f— are you doing?”

Advertisement

Davis was met by someone asking him to leave his seat, and that’s when Izzo went nuts. He shouted “Get out of here!” at Davis, who appeared to gesture toward Izzo, perhaps in apology for disturbing the game.

Izzo was asked about Davis’ ejection after the game.

“What he said, he should never say anywhere in the world,” Izzo responded when asked what happened. “That ticked me off. So, just because it’s 25, 20 years later, I’m going to have to call him tomorrow and tell him what I thought of it. And you know what he’ll say? ‘I screwed up, coach. I’m sorry.’”

Izzo quickly clarified that what Davis said “wasn’t something racial” and “it wasn’t something sexual.”

Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo protests a call that benefited the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center Dec. 2, 2025. (Dale Young/Imagn Images)

Advertisement

“It was just the wrong thing to say, and I’ll leave it at that.”

Davis later met with reporters Tuesday, apologizing for his actions.

“I’m not up here to make any excuses. I’m up here to take accountability, to own it,” Davis said. It was a mistake that will never happen again. It was a mistake that’s not me, but, unfortunately, last night it was.”

Izzo said Davis was one of his “favorite guys” during his time playing for the Spartans. He had a breakout sophomore campaign with 15.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and two assists per game in 30 starts for Izzo during the 2003-04 season.

Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena Jan. 2, 2026, in Lincoln, Neb.  (Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Advertisement

In his senior year, Davis averaged 17.5 points, a career-high, in 33 games.

He was taken in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. Davis played just four seasons in the league, his final one with the Washington Wizards.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending