Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers chose not to void the contract guarantees of wide receiver DK Metcalf after his two-game suspension, according to a report by Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.
Metcalf’s contract, which is fully guaranteed for 2026 and includes injury guarantees in 2027, could have had those guarantees voided by his two-game suspension for a physical altercation with a fan during last Sunday’s Steelers win over the Detroit Lions.
The suspension will cost Metcalf approximately $555,555 in salary over the two games he will miss. Even if the Steelers had voided the guarantees, it’s extremely unlikely that it would have made a difference in the end.
For the 2026 guarantee to come into play, the Steelers would have to cut Metcalf this offseason. The team’s No. 1 wide receiver, the Steelers traded a second-round draft pick earlier this year to acquire Metcalf and have no interest in moving on from him any time soon. The Steelers have also rarely cut injured players to avoid paying them, which is the only way the 2027 guarantee would come into effect.
Metcalf is set to earn $25 million in base salary in 2026, $20 million in salary with a $6.5 million roster bonus in 2027, $23 million with a $5 million roster bonus in 2028 and $30.5 million with a $5 million roster bonus in 2029. Even after maintaining their guarantee, the Steelers can cut Metcalf without owing him any more money at any time after the 2026 season.
He’ll finish his first season with the Steelers with 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns, the lowest full-season statistical contributions of his career.
Metcalf may not totally be out of woods in terms of further financial implications of his actions. Ryan Kennedy, the fan Metcalf got into it with, held a press conference with attorneys in Detroit on Friday, and a lawsuit remains on the table, his law firm said.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Decline to Void DK Metcalf Contract Guarantees
