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Does Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf have another gear?

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Does Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf have another gear?


Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf has had a highly productive start to his NFL career.

With his rare combination of size, speed and strength, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Metcalf is one of just nine players with at least 5,000 receiving yards and 40 touchdown catches over the past five seasons. The 2019 second-round pick has reached 900 yards in all five seasons and 1,000 yards three times, including a career-high 1,303 yards in 2020.

However, that 2020 season was the only time Metcalf has finished in the top 10 on the NFL’s receiving leaderboard. After ranking seventh in receiving yards that year, he was 27th in 2021, 16th in 2022 and 18th in 2023.

Is there another level of production the ultra-talented 26-year-old wideout can reach? That question came up during a discussion Wednesday on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy.

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“I look at DK’s size, speed, combo, strength and ability as a receiver and I just wonder if there’s another gear he can hit,” Stacy Rost said.

Under previous Seahawks offensive coordinators Brian Schottenheimer and Shane Waldron, there were times when Metcalf would seemingly disappear from games and go for long stretches without a target. With new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb now in charge of Seattle’s offense, former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus thinks Metcalf could be better-utilized. Grubb excelled at putting receivers in position to succeed across town at UW, where he directed one of the best passing attacks in college football as the Huskies’ OC the past two seasons.

“I think that (Metcalf) having a coordinator who understands who he is and how to push the ball down the field and get him in his matchups (will help),” Bumpus said. “We’ve seen him move to the slot and do some of that stuff during some of their minicamp (practices this spring). So just like I always connect receiver play to linemen and quarterbacks, it’s connected to the offensive coordinator as well.

“How are you gonna use him? Because I think a lot of coordinators will look at a receiver like DK Metcalf and say: ‘All right, he’s a big X receiver. Put him outside, run a go, run a post.’ That’s what they said about him coming into the NFL. He only played one side of the field. … It’s up to the coordinator to get him outside that box and challenge him to do other things, and I think that’s gonna happen this year.”

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Bumpus also thinks Metcalf can take a step forward in adjusting to the ball in the air. Over his career, one of the few weaknesses in Metcalf’s game has been his occasional struggle with dropped passes. After a drop rate of 12.1% and 10.8% in first two seasons, he improved to 5.1% and 5.3% in his next two years, according to Pro Football Focus. However, his drop rate went back up to 8.3% last season. That was tied for 64th out of 80 receivers who had at least 50 targets.

“He has to get better at adjusting to footballs,” Bumpus said. “And there were clips that I saw from him catching footballs from Russell Wilson (in a recent training session) and it looks like he’s getting more nimble, if you can do that at his age and his size. It looks like he’s doing that, adjusting to the football and catching the tough ball over his head. If you had to point to a part of his game that he can improve on, that was it for me. And I think that’s where he can excel a bit.”

Listen to the full conversation with Bump and Stacy at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune in to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Why Seahawks’ interior O-line is so crucial to success
• Why Leslie Frazier could be so valuable for Seahawks’ staff
• NFC West writer: Seahawks’ division rival could be NFL’s surprise team
• Which Seahawks player benefits most from new defensive scheme?
• Why an insider expects Seattle Seahawks to turn fans’ heads in 2024

 

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Seattle, WA

Seattle schools staying open despite Seahawks Super Bowl parade, absences unexcused

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Seattle schools staying open despite Seahawks Super Bowl parade, absences unexcused


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Seattle Seahawks fans will undoubtedly come out in droves for Wednesday’s Super Bowl celebration, but for students partying, it will hurt their attendance records.

Seattle Public Schools announced earlier this week that schools will not only stay open, but going to the parade will not count as an excused absence.

“Seattle is buzzing with excitement as we celebrate the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory! Moments like this bring our city together, spark pride across generations, and remind us of the power of shared experiences in our community,” Seattle Public Schools Chief Operations Officer Fred Podesta said in a letter. “As the city plans celebrations, including a victory parade planned for Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m., we want families to know that Seattle Public Schools will remain open with the normal early-release Wednesday schedule.

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Elijah Arroyo of the Seattle Seahawks lifts the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl LX football game against the New England Patriots, at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

“Keeping schools open is an important part of maintaining stability, safety, and continuity for our students. For many families, schools provide not only learning, but also meals, transportation, specialized services, and trusted routines. Remaining open allows us to support students’ academic progress while ensuring essential services continue for those who rely on them …

“We encourage families to celebrate this historic moment in ways that work best for your household, while also helping us keep learning strong across the district. Thank you for your partnership and support as we balance celebration with our shared commitment to students. Go Hawks!”

Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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The celebration will begin at Lumen Field at 10 a.m. PT with a parade commencing an hour later throughout the city.

It’s the second time the Seahawks have taken the Lombardi Trophy to the Pacific Northwest, also winning Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey against the Denver Broncos.

It was an 11-year wait for revenge for Seattle, who defeated the New England Patriots over a decade after Malcolm Butler’s infamous interception at the goal line.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates his team’s victory over the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)

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Kenneth Walker III was named the game’s MVP with 135 rushing yards.

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





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Raiders introduce ex-Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak as coach – Seattle Sports

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Raiders introduce ex-Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak as coach – Seattle Sports


HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — They were introduced one by one, six ex-players who represent Raiders royalty. Four Hall of Famers. Five Super Bowl champions. All six at least made the big game.

Offseason Preview: What’s next for Super Bowl champion Seahawks

Three took seats to the left and the other three to the right before new Las Vegas coach Klint Kubiak was formally introduced Tuesday and sat with general manager John Spytek in the middle with the club’s three Lombardi Trophies in front of them.

Those players — Marcus Allen, Rich Gannon, Mike Haynes, Howie Long, Jim Plunkett and Charles Woodson — maintained serious looks on their faces as if kickoff was about to begin. And, in a sense, it was.

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Their presence was a reminder of the daunting challenge Kubiak faces in trying to connect the present to the Raiders’ long-ago glorious past.

What Seahawks coach said about their offensive coordinator search

The Raiders haven’t won a playoff game since their last Super Bowl appearance in the 2002 season. They have made the postseason just twice since, most recently in the 2021 season. Kubiak will be their fifth full-time coach since moving to Las Vegas in 2020.

“This is no ordinary job,” said Kubiak, just two days removed from serving as offensive coordinator on the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-championship team. “This is the silver and black. This is the Raiders. This is a historic franchise. So when the opportunity came up to stay in Seattle and continue there or to have a chance to come here and compete with this organization, it was a no-brainer.”

Kubiak acknowledged the task in front of him, but will take a day to bask in the Super Bowl parade on Wednesday in Seattle.

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Then he will have a number of issues to confront, including hiring a coaching staff — most notably offensive and defensive coordinators. He also will begin to dig into what to do with the No. 1 overall draft pick the Raiders own, as well as the more than $91 million in salary-cap space, according to overthecap.com. And then there’s the Maxx Crosby situation.

Kubiak said he was just getting started when it comes to hiring his assistants as well as examining the roster needs. He stopped far short of saying the Raiders will draft Fernando Mendoza, even though it’s widely believed Las Vegas will take the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who guided Indiana to a highly unlikely national championship.

Owner Mark Davis watched Mendoza that night in Miami Gardens, Florida, and was joined by Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. Davis hinted the organization was taking a strong look at Mendoza, and the Raiders preferred to hire a coach with an offensive background “that could grow with somebody.”

“It started being, in my mind, that’s the direction we wanted to go,” Davis said. “But at the same time, he had to win the job because there were some good candidates that we spoke to.”

One big selling point was Kubiak’s work with quarterback Sam Darnold.

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Darnold completed 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions this season. Drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, Darnold was considered a bust until leading Minnesota to a 14-win season in 2024. Then came another 14-win season with the Seahawks that culminated with Darnold hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

“I’m really proud of the process that we put in place,” Spytek said. “We set out to take our time, to be deliberate, to be meticulous, to find the right leader for this organization going forward. We have a uniquely challenging offseason with the first overall pick and new leadership with the head coach, but that’s why it was so important to us to find the right man to lead this organization forward.”

The elephant that wasn’t in the room during the presser was Crosby. Multiple reports have said the star pass rusher wants out of the Raiders after being sidelined the final two games this past season and that he also wasn’t interested in a rebuild.

But Crosby, even if he wasn’t in the team room for the news conference, was in the building and among the Raiders to greet Kubiak upon his arrival. They even had coffee together.

“We want him to be a part of our success going forward,” Kubiak said. “There’s no doubt about that. He’s one of the best players in the NFL, so that’s a no brainer to get to work with Maxx and see him continue to have success with this organization.”

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Davis said he definitely wanted to keep Crosby in Las Vegas.

“Maxx has been a great, great Raider,” Davis said. “He is a great Raider.”

What makes John Schneider’s second Super Bowl win so impressive




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Superbowl champ QB Sam Darnold to work celebratory ‘shift’ at Seattle’s 1st Raising Cane’s

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Superbowl champ QB Sam Darnold to work celebratory ‘shift’ at Seattle’s 1st Raising Cane’s


Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is set to bring the Super Bowl excitement back to the Emerald City with a unique celebration.

Fresh off the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX victory in Santa Clara, Calif., Darnold will work a special “shift” at the first Raising Cane’s restaurant in Seattle, located at 4345 University Way NE.

RELATED | Up to 1 million fans expected to attend Seahawks’ World Champions Parade

This event, scheduled for Tuesday from 3 to 4:15 p.m., offers fans a chance to join in the celebration and get a sneak peek at the highly anticipated restaurant opening on Feb. 17.

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During his “shift,” Raising Cane’s says Darnold will engage with fans, serve chicken fingers to a lucky few, and participate in a press conference.

While this is not an official meet-and-greet, select fans in line will have the opportunity to be served by Darnold at the counter.

The event will also feature a special moment in the parking lot, where Darnold will address the crowd, ensuring everyone can partake in the celebration.

SEE ALSO | Clucking good news: Raising Cane’s prepares to serve crispy cravings in U- District

Fans are encouraged to arrive early, dress for the weather, and consider using Uber or other rideshares due to limited parking.

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Raising Cane’s is expanding rapidly, with plans to open nearly 100 new locations this year. The Seattle restaurant marks a significant milestone for the brand, bringing its menu to the University District near the University of Washington.



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