Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf’s recent suspension could be even more costly then previously thought.
The NFL handed Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf a two-game suspension for his altercation with a fan at Ford Field during the team’s 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions. Metcalf plans to appeal the suspension, but if it’s upheld, it could cost Metcalf a lot of money.
Metcalf’s two-game suspension would cost him $277,778 per game, or $555,556 total for the two games. However, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reveals that it could cost him a whole lot more than that.
“Based on his contract, the suspension would void not just the rest of his salary for this season but $45M in future guarantees — $25M fully guaranteed in 2026 and $20M guarantee for injury in 2027,” Rapoport posted on X.
The two-game suspension for #Steelers WR DK Metcalf could be costly, if upheld. Based on his contract, the suspension would void not just the rest of his salary for this season but $45M in future guarantees — $25M fully guaranteed in 2026 and $20M guarantee for injury in 2027. pic.twitter.com/ZxedFbTmGg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2025
That would certainly be a brutal blow for Metcalf, who just signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension with the Steelers after they acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
Only time will tell if the league will reduce Metcalf’s punishment, but it will likely need concrete evidence for that to happen and there have been several conflicting reports.
According to the Detroit Free Press, which tracked down the fan in the stands, Metcalf got upset after he called him by his full government name, “DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf.”
However, former Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison and former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson said there were other words exchanged that escalated the situation.
“I got word — obviously, I’m not condoning putting your hands on a fan or punching a fan — but he did call him a racial slur,” Johnson said on the “Nightcap” podcast. “He called him the n-word and he did call his mom a cunt. I think, with those words being exchanged and the fan saying that, I think that’s where the action occurred.”
The fan has since denied saying such things to Metcalf as the NFL continues to review the situation and Metcalf’s appeal.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers WR DK Metcalf’s Suspension Could Be Even More Costly
