Sports
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.
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.
More than just adding a dynamic receiving threat, the DK Metcalf trade should also give the Steelers plenty of leverage and flexibility when it comes to George Pickens, who is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 9, 2025
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?
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.
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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)
Sports
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza wins 2025 Heisman Trophy
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Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza became the first Hoosier to win the coveted Heisman Trophy, college football’s most prestigious award.
Mendoza claimed 2,392 first-place votes, beating Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (1,435 votes), Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (719 votes) and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (432 votes).
Mendoza guided the Hoosiers to their first No. 1 ranking and the top seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, throwing for 2,980 yards and a nation-best 33 touchdown passes while also running for six scores.
Indiana, the last unbeaten team in major college football, will play a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game in the Rose Bowl Jan. 1.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza runs off the field after a game against Wisconsin Nov. 15, 2025, in Bloomington, Ind (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mendoza, the Hoosiers’ first-year starter after transferring from California, is the triggerman for an offense that surpassed program records for touchdowns and points set during last season’s surprise run to the CFP.
A redshirt junior, the once lightly recruited Miami native is the second Heisman finalist in school history, joining 1989 runner-up Anthony Thompson. The trophy was established in 1935.
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Mendoza is the seventh Indiana player to earn a top 10 finish in Heisman balloting, and it marks another first in program history. It now has had players in the top 10 of Heisman voting in back-to-back years. Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke was ninth last year.
Quarterbacks have won the Heisman four of the last five years. Travis Hunter of Colorado, who played wide receiver and cornerback, won last season.
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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws before a game against Wisconsin Nov. 15, 2025, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mendoza was named The Associated Press Player of the Year earlier this week and picked up the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards Friday night while Love won the Doak Walker Award.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Sports
Prep talk: The Shaws enjoy a memorable basketball moment at Oak Park
Sometimes it can be difficult when a high school coach also has his son on the team, but then there are those unforgettable moments that make every second spent together magical. Such a moment happened on Friday night for Oak Park basketball coach Aaron Shaw and his son, sophomore guard Grant Shaw.
Grant made a three-pointer from beyond the top of the key as the buzzer sounded to give host Oak Park a 54-51 win over rival Agoura.
Then, for some unknown reason at the time, Grant ran in the opposite direction, followed by his teammates and delirious Oak Park fans. There were so many people celebrating he ended up pushed into the gym foyer.
Watching from the bench was his father, who didn’t understand why his son was headed out of the gym. “The coaches were asking, ‘Where is he going?’” he said.
It turns out the surge of people celebrating forced Grant into the foyer. His father reminded him afterward to perhaps next time stay in the gym.
But make no mistake about, Aaron has won two Southern Section titles as a coach, and this moment ranks up among the best.
“Proud dad moment,” he said.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
Sports
Navy tops Army with late touchdown as Trump’s attendance in Baltimore sparks protests
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For the second year in a row, the Navy Midshipmen have won the Commander-in-Chief Trophy.
The Midshipmen earned a gutsy 17-16 victory over Army in one of the greatest rivalries in sports.
Navy got out to a scorching-hot start, as they scored a touchdown on their first drive, with Blake Horvath rushing for 45 of the 75 yards on the drive and running in for the score. He also had an 11-yard pass.
President Donald Trump greets players after the coin toss and before the start of the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium, Saturday, in Baltimore, Md. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Army, though, answered right back with an identical drive, going 13 plays for 75 yards — this one ended with Cale Hellums punching one in.
Navy’s offense was stalled for a long while after, as their next three drives ended in a punt, fumble, and interception. In the meantime, the Black Knights were able to tack on three more field goals to go up, 16-7. Late in the third, the Midshipmen finally added more points on the scoreboard with a field goal that cut their deficit to three.
Early in the fourth, Navy forced an Army interception. Navy had the ball at the goal line but fumbled on a quarterback sneak, losing seven yards. Horvath hit Eli Heidenrich in the end zone, though, and the ensuing kick gave the Midshipmen their first lead since the first drive of the game.
Navy promptly forced a three-and-out and got the ball back with less than five minutes to go. Navy lost a fumble when trying for a first down that would have iced the game, but the play was reviewed, and the call was reversed. Thus, Navy had a fourth-and-1 and kept the offense on the field. They got the first down that iced the game.
US President Donald Trump tosses a coin before the college football game between the US Army and Navy in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 13, 2025. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski / AFP via Getty Images)
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With the win, Navy earned the Commander-in-Chief trophy by also defeating Air Force earlier in the year.
The game was its usual old-school ground-and-pound style of football, as there were only 24 pass attempts compared to 86 runs.
President Donald Trump attended the game for the seventh time, and his second in as many years since being elected again. Trump participated in the coin flip, but not before protesters wielded lewd signs opposing Trump on the street leading up to the stadium.
Protests were expected for the game in the blue city, as Trump has suggested sending the National Guard to Baltimore to help address the city’s rampant crime. Baltimore consistently ranks among U.S. cities with high crime rates, often appearing in the top 5 for violent crimes, especially homicides and robberies.
U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd-L) walks onto the field for the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen on Dec. 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. The teams are competing for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, with President Trump attending the rivalry for the second consecutive year. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
The protests against Trump also come on the same day that officials said two U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. interpreter were killed in an ambush attack in Syria.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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