DK Metcalf says contract negotiations 'a stressful process' after landing three-year, $73 million deal with Seattle Seahawks

RENTON, Wash. — Several months of contract negotiations between his agent and the Seattle Seahawks gave DK Metcalf plenty of consternation, even though the star wide receiver remained confident all along that it would end in a deal.

«It was a stressful process,» Metcalf said Friday, «but glad that it's over now.»

That stress didn't completely give way to joy until Metcalf took the stage at the auditorium inside Seahawks headquarters, a full day after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the two sides had agreed to a three-year extension worth $72 million. Metcalf signed the deal Friday morning, then spoke to reporters afterward — at times becoming emotional — while flanked by coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider.

«It just hit me as I was sitting up here,» Metcalf said. «I told my parents and I was just smiling on the phone. My mom started crying, dad started crying but I was just smiling. Then when I sat up here, it just hit me like, it's here. DK, it's time for you to step up.»

Schneider thanked Metcalf for the patience and professionalism he showed during a negotiating process that, according to the GM, began at the scouting combine in February and was repeatedly impacted by the megadeals signed by other marquee receivers this offseason.

Metcalf drew laughter when he alluded to some gamesmanship he employed in negotiations. It was part of his response when asked if it was any more stressful watching his counterparts cash in.

«No because… something was going to get done,» he said. «It was going to be here… as much as I bluffed to John. Just to let y'all know, I wanted to be here. I wanted to play here and I'm just glad that we got something done.»

Metcalf's deal includes a $30 million signing bonus, a