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DK Metcalf contract guarantees, explained: How suspension could cost Steelers WR over $45 million originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was suspended for the final two games of the regular season on Monday, roughly 24 hours after taking a swing at a Detroit Lions fan from the sideline.
On the surface, the suspension is set to cost Metcalf about $555,000 in lost game checks. The actual financial impact, however, could be far more severe.
A clause in Metcalf’s contract could allow the Steelers to void his guaranteed money as a result of the suspension, giving Pittsburgh a much easier path to move on from the deal.
Here’s a look at Metcalf’s contract and how the suspension could alter its terms.
MORE DK METCALF NEWS:
- What to know about DK Metcalf getting physical with a spectator
- Meet Ryan Kennedy, the fan that DK Metcalf threw a punch at during Lions-Steelers game
DK Metcalf contract details
Metcalf signed a four-year, $132 million contract extension when he was traded to the Steelers in March. The deal included $60 million in guarantees between his signing bonus and salaries.
Metcalf's deal runs through the 2029 season, but the Steelers would be able to save money as early as the 2027 offseason if they cut him loose.
Because of a clause in his contract, however, Metcalf's suspension might leave the Steelers with no penalty if they move on from him at any point during the duration of the deal. Here are the details.
DK Metcalf contract guarantees
The finer details of Metcalf's contract reveal $45 million in remaining guaranteed money would be voided by a suspension from the league.
Metcalf's contract states that guaranteed money can be voided if he is forced to miss time for reasons including "suspension by the NFL or Club for Conduct Detrimental," noting that guarantees would be "NULL AND VOID" under those circumstances, CBS Sports reported.
That means his guarantees could still have been void even if an appeal reduced the suspension to one game, but that wasn't the case, as the NFL upheld the original ruling.
Metcalf can earn every bit of his $25 million salary for 2026 and any other money remaining on the deal, but a suspension means it would not be guaranteed money any longer. In terms of 2026, it would be tough to imagine Metcalf not being in a Steelers uniform. While it's been an underwhelming year at times for the former Seattle Seahawks star, the Steelers committed to Metcalf as their No. 1 wide receiver and almost certainly wouldn't pull the plug so soon.
Metcalf's $20 million in guarantees for 2027, however, could be much more interesting to watch if 2026 doesn't pan out for either side.
MORE:Updated NFL power rankings after Week 16
Why was DK Metcalf suspended?
Metcalf was suspended Monday for taking a swing at a Lions fan during Sunday's Steelers win.
In a brief altercation, Metcalf appeared to grab a Lions fan wearing a blue wig and swing at him with a closed fist before walking away. The league said in its announcement Monday that "players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day."
The fan, Ryan Kennedy, said after the incident that he simply called Metcalf by his full birth name. Metcalf disputes that it was all Kennedy said, but video of the incident from the stands has yet to support Metcalf's claim.
Metcalf's suspension was upheld, meaning he won't be eligible to play again until the playoffs, provided the Steelers clinch a spot. Pittsburgh needs one more win or Baltimore Ravens loss to clinch the AFC North.
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