Financially, DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension could impact more than the two game checks he’s set to miss. His suspension for actions the NFL deemed to be “conduct detrimental” to the team automatically triggers a void in the guaranteed money of the rest of Metcalf’s massive contract he signed as part of his trade from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
As CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones outlined Tuesday night, Metcalf’s future guarantee money is voided. That doesn’t necessarily mean he will lose any money, but he no longer has the protections originally included in his contract.
“His four-year, $132 million contract from March, reviewed by CBS Sports, notes that if he “fails… to practice or play with the Club for any reason,” which includes “Player’s suspension by the NFL or Club for Conduct Detrimental,” his guarantees “will be NULL AND VOID,” Jones wrote.
Metcalf has “true” guaranteed money through 2026, the second year of his deal. And cutting him after this season and before June 1st would still incur a hefty $24 million in dead money. But he also has a $20 million injury guarantee for 2027 that he’d be owed if a serious injury prevented him from playing. Due to the suspension, that money is no longer guaranteed. As Jones explains:
“If Metcalf suffered a major injury in the 2026 season that kept him from passing a physical in March 2027, he would be guaranteed $20 million for that upcoming season. If the suspension holds, that guarantee goes away — which would give the Steelers a potential financial out after two seasons should they wish or need to use it.”
It’s a standard clause in NFL contracts that goes into effect if Metcalf remains suspended after appeal. Metcalf’s appeal is expected to be ruled on by Tuesday, giving him and the team clarity before practicing on Wednesday for Week 17’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Even if Metcalf’s suspension is cut in half from two to one game on appeal, his future guaranteed money will still be voided. Suspended players aren’t allowed to practice and, of course, can’t play with their team.
Roger Goodell, or someone Goodell appoints, will hear Metcalf’s appeal. Of course, it was Goodell and the NFL that handed down his initial two-game suspension in the first place. Only a complete reduction of Metcalf’s suspension will bring his guarantees back.
If the two-game suspension holds, Metcalf will lose over $555,000 in game checks this season.
Metcalf was suspended for an altercation with a Lions fan during the first half of Sunday’s game. A fan he reportedly had issues with before, Metcalf walked up to the fan and the two had a brief exchange of words. Video then captured Metcalf grabbing the fan’s shirt. Metcalf has reportedly told several former players that the fan used racial and derogatory slurs towards him and his mother. The fan has denied the allegation.
The void won’t have any immediate or even necessarily tangible impact on Metcalf’s future with the team. But if the Steelers, for whatever reason, looked to cut ties with Metcalf in the relatively near future, Metcalf would no longer be entitled to the compensation he agreed to back in March.
