8:26 p.m. ET
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Brady Henderson ESPN
RENTON, Wash. — Star wide receiver DK Metcalf is present at Seattle Seahawks training camp, but is not practicing amid his shaky contract situation.
Metcalf reported with the rest of the team on Tuesday, then didn’t participate in any part of Wednesday’s first practice, an increasingly popular approach that has come to be known as “holding back.” He stood close to his fellow receivers during position drills, then watched the team’s periods from the sideline while wearing his No. 14 jersey and a backwards Seahawks cap.
“We’re working on it,” coach Pete Carroll said of Metcalf’s contract. “I don’t have an update for you, but we’re working on it.”
Carroll made it clear that Metcalf did not practice Wednesday because of his contract situation and not his surgically repaired foot, saying the receiver passed his physical and is “fine.”
The Seahawks and Metcalf’s agent, Tory Dandy, have been negotiating an extension that would likely be worth about $25 million per season based on some of the recent deals signed by comparable NFL receivers. Metcalf’s shaky contract situation led him to skip last month’s mandatory minicamp with an unexcused absence.
At the time, Carroll reiterated the Seahawks’ desire to keep the 24-year-old Pro Bowler long-term and said he was no less optimistic they would do so after Metcalf’s minicamp no-show. Carroll said he expected a deal to be made before training camp.
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“We expected it,” Carroll said Wednesday. “We’ve been shooting for it, but we’re here now. There’s a lot of work going on right now.”
Asked how quickly he expects the two sides to reach an agreement, Carroll said, “I don’t have an update for you.”
By showing up for camp but not practicing, Metcalf avoids what would be $40,000 in daily fines, as well as the risk of injury. Former Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner took the same approach during his 2019 contract negotiations, as did safety Jamal Adams last year. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel and Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James are also picking up.
For now, Metcalf is slated to make $3.983 million in the final year of the rookie contract he signed as a late second-round pick in 2019. He has 216 catches for 3,170 yards and 29 touchdowns through his first three seasons He made his lone Pro Bowl in 2020 after breaking Steve Largent’s single-season franchise record with 1,303 receiving yards.
Metcalf hasn’t missed a game in his career. He played most of last season with a broken bone in his foot, which required surgery.