Steelers make bold $45million decision on DK Metcalf after his ban for incident with Lions fan
The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to offer their support to DK Metcalf following his ugly altercation with a Detroit Lions fan earlier this month.
Metcalf was slapped with a two-game suspension by the NFL after he was caught taking a swing at a Lions fan during Pittsburgh’s victory over Detroit on Dec 21st.
The wideout was found to have violated league policy specifying ‘players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day.’
Reports then claimed that Metcalf would also lose out on $45million which he is owed in future guaranteed money, as well as his salary for the rest of the season.
However, according to NFL Insider Jay Glazer, Pittsburgh don’t want that to happen.
During Fox NFL Kickoff on Sunday, Glazer said: ‘Because he got suspended, the Steelers could have basically taken back all of his guarantees.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will stand by DK Metcalf following his altercation with a Lions fan
The wide receiver appearing to take a swing at the Lions fan during their game on Dec 21st
‘They, however, have decided not to do that. They’re gonna stick with DK. They don’t want to do something like that. They want to make a long-term commitment to DK Metcalf, even in situations like this.’
Metcalf is reported owed $25m fully guaranteed in 2026 and $20m guarantee for injury in 2027, which he now looks set to keep.
However, he will lose about $555,000 in salary as a result of the two-game ban.
He will miss the remainder of the rest of the season. They have just one game remaining against the Baltimore Ravens on December 4th.
Metcalf will be eligible to return to the Steelers active roster on January 5.
Metcalf signed a four-year, $132 million contract extension with the Steelers in March after he was traded from the Seattle Seahawks.
On December 21st, CBS cameras caught Metcalf jawing with a man in a blue wig during the second quarter before grabbing the fan by his shirt collar and punching at his face. Metcalf only made minimal contact, if any, with his swing.
Reports later claimed that the Lions fan had used racial slurs to provoke Metcalf, however there was no evidence to substantiate these claims.
Lions fan Ryan Kennedy denied using racial slurs in his altercation with DK Metcalf
The wide receiver was not ejected from the game, finishing with four catches for 42 yards
In the days that followed, Lions fan Ryan Kennedy held a press conference with his lawyers – denying those claims which spread on social media.
‘Being falsely branded as a racist is one of the most damaging accusations that a private citizen can endure,’ Kennedy’s lawyer, Shawn Head, said as the fan sat beside him wearing a backwards Lions hat.
‘It’s dangerous and causes very real consequences and very real damage.’
Kennedy added: ‘I want to be crystal clear about one thing — I didn’t use any racial slurs, no hate speech, none of that stuff at the game.’
Head told reporters that legal action is being considered.
Both Kennedy and his lawyers publicly asked Metcalf to clarify that the fan never said racial slurs – with Head saying attorneys reached out to Metcalf’s camp and hadn’t heard back.
‘The false accusations or racial statements or racial slurs being used causes real damage and that needs to be corrected. … (Metcalf) can come out and tell the truth and indicate that he never heard any racial slur uttered by Mr. Kennedy,’ Head said.
