After the Seahawks wrapped up practice on Wednesday, DK Metcalf was one of the last players to leave the field, a regular occurrence for the rookie receiver who routinely catches balls from a JUGS machine after practice.
And it's that extra work—the time after practice, the way he attacks Russell Wilson's meticulous weekly scouting reports that the quarterback gives to all the receivers, the attention to detail in film study—that has allowed Metcalf to become one of the most prolific rookie receivers in franchise history.
Yes, there is the absurd combination of size and speed, rare traits that impress teammates and coaches in how "he's a big-ass dude who can move like that," as Marshawn Lynch succinctly put it. But Metcalf is much more than the physique that helped him become a social media sensation before the draft, or even than the 4.33-second 40-yard dash he ran at the NFL scouting combine.
Metcalf's combination of physical traits, work ethic and high football IQ helped him catch 58 passes for 900 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season, the second most catches and receiving yards by a rookie in franchise history. Then in Sunday's wild-card win over the Eagles, Metcalf hauled in seven catches for 160 yards, a performance that included a 53-yard touchdown catch as well as a 36-yard reception on third-and-10 that put the game on ice.
Metcalf's yardage total against the Eagles was a franchise postseason record, as well as an NFL postseason record for rookie pass-catchers. But while that type of performance in the postseason might have caught a lot of people's attention outside of the organization—LeBron James even gave Metcalf a shoutout on Instagram—it didn't surprise anyone in the Seahawks locker room.
"He has been really steady," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said after the game. "He's always understood as we installed and taught him stuff. He's always picked things up. He's never stumbled or staggered his way through it. He's been a great learner and he's been a great worker. He takes his work very seriously. He practices really seriously. He stays late all the time. He's always working on his things—on his technique, on his principles. That's just been the way he has been, so I don't think there's been big changes. I think, if anything has shifted, would be his confidence is really there. He knows he can play this game at this level and he wants to be in the middle of it all. He's got a great demeanor about that too. He's not yapping about wanting the football or for calling for this or that. He just plays the game the way you love guys to play—with great work ethic and great focus. And he's got marvelous talent, so he's just getting going. I just think it's been a really steady ascent to this point. That was a huge game obviously, but he's been playing good football all year."
Metcalf said the reaction to his big game "has been great," but added, "it's time to focus in on Green Bay… Can't harp on that one moment."
But even if Metcalf doesn't want to make a big deal about his record-setting performance, he is very appreciative of how things have turned out for him this year. For starters, there was, for a short time at least, concern his football days were over due to a neck injury he suffered last season at Ole Miss.
The first doctor Metcalf saw told him his football career was over, news Metcalf called, "heartbreaking. I cried because football was taken away from me at that moment. The second opinion told me otherwise."
After a more optimistic second opinion and surgery, Metcalf's NFL dreams were back on track, but the draft came with more disappointment. Projected by many to be a first-round pick, Metcalf slid to the end of the second round before the Seahawks traded back into the second round to select him with the 64th overall pick, making Metcalf the ninth receiver picked in the 2019 draft.
At the time Metcalf was upset about the long wait, then he broke down when the Seahawks finally called, crying on the phone when general manager John Schneider called. After Schneider handed the phone off to Carroll, Metcalf asked, "Why'd y'all wait this long?"
The long wait was hard at the time, but Metcalf says now that things couldn't have worked out any better for him. Yes, it would have been nice to be a first-round pick, but he ended up going to a team that is now one of the final eight still playing this season, he came into a situation where he was able to compete for and win a starting job, and he happened to land on a team that employs one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, one who immediately took Metcalf under his wing, even calling him the night he was drafted.
"It was a perfect situation for me," Metcalf said. "At the moment, I was mad. After everything is said and done, looking back at it, just happy that I landed here. Great quarterback, great offense, great team, organization. We're in the playoffs. Still playing and a lot of teams are at home. It was a great moment."
From that great moment in April to the ones Metcalf provided in Philadelphia on Sunday, this has been a rookie year to remember for Metcalf. And based off what he has shown his team all season long, including last weekend, there's no reason to believe he can't make another great moment happen in Green Bay on Sunday.
"DK was special tonight and he's been special all year," Wilson said after the win in Philadelphia. "He's one of the best rookies that's come out and has a nice little chip on his shoulder, too. I'm glad he's on our team, that's for sure… He's just been doing a great job, and more importantly, as the season has gone on, some people hit the rookie wall; there's no such thing for him. He has stayed the course and he continues to get stronger. He's like American Pharoah out there—he gets stronger as the race goes on and he's doing a great job of that."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' wild card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
On Friday afternoon, Seahawks general manager John Schneider and running back Marshawn Lynch walk to the team buses to begin the trip to Philadelphia for the wild-card playoff game against the Eagles.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett heads to the team buses on Friday.
Scores of 12s lined the streets to see the Seahawks off on their trip to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
The Seahawks were greeted by rain and light fog upon landing in Philadelphia late Friday evening.
Seahawks safety Lano Hill waits to enter the team hotel in Philadelphia.
On Saturday, the Seahawks headed to a local field for their walk-thru, where quarterback Russell Wilson greeted teammates with handshakes.
Defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr., talks to his starting linebackers K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner and Cody Barton.
Seahawks defensive lineman L.J. Collier rides the team bus from walk-thru to Lincoln Financial Field for the team's brief stadium visit on Saturday afternoon.
The convoy of Seahawks buses heads to Lincoln Financial Field for a brief visit on Saturday afternoon.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson checks out Lincoln Financial Field, site of the wild-card playoff game. Wilson and the team were familiar with the stadium, having played there back in late November.
On game day, the team held brief walk-thru meetings in the hotel ballrooms. Running backs coach Chad Morton reviews strategy with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
On Sunday afternoon, players and coaches took a long escalator down to the street to board buses for the game. From left are Aaron Curry, Bryan Mone, Khalil McKenzie, Ryan Neal and Jacob Hollister.
12s packed the street in front of the hotel hoping for a glimpse of their favorite players as they boarded buses for the game.
Seahawks Jordan Roos and Luke Willson head from the hotel to the team buses.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson exits the hotel and heads to the team buses on game day.
Seahawks receivers David Moore and DK Metcalf at their lockers in the visitors locker room hours before kickoff.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf focuses as he runs routes during the early warm-up period before the game.
Seahawks offensive tackle George Fant works during the early pre-game period.
Seahawks Tre Flowers and Shaquem Griffin walk off the field after their early warmups.
Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green signs autographs for 12s who lined the tunnel leading to the visitor's locker room.
Running back Travis Homer collects his thoughts before taking the field.
Seahawks offensive lineman Kyle Fuller paints his face in the locker room before the game.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin tosses his hair as puts on a neck warmer and face mask in preparation for the cold weather.
Quarterback Russell Wilson talks to teammate Geno Smith and coaches Austin Davis and Dave Canales as the quarterbacks took the field for pregame warmups.
Seahawks equipment assistant C.J. Hargis assists defensive end Ziggy Ansah in the locker room before the game.
Seahawks Russell Wilson, Ziggy Ansah and Shaquill Griffin are in the middle of a gathering of the entire team on the field at the start of pregame warmups.
Seahawks linebacker and defensive captain Bobby Wagner stretches during pregame.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll hugs rookie linebacker Cody Barton, who was starting in his first NFL playoff game.
The Seahawks get loose in the locker room before taking the field to face the Eagles in the wild-card playoff game. From left are Shaquem Griffin, Quinton Jefferson, Penny Hart, Lano Hill, Khalil McKenzie and Kyle Fuller.
Seahawks teammates and twin brothers Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin shake hands in the end zone before kickoff.
12s showed off their colors amidst the local fans in Philadelphia.
Seahawks offensive guard D.J. Fluker gets fired up on the sidelines before kickoff.
Cornerback Tre Flowers and running back Marshawn Lynch on the sidelines before kickoff.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson asked a military member if he could help hold the flag during the playing of the national anthem.
Seahawks defensive end Rasheem Green puts pressure on Eagles starting quarterback Carson Wentz early in the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson escapes the pocket and looks downfield.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf poses after a reception for a first down early in the game.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers converts on a 49-yard field goal to open the scoring.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett makes an improbable catch along the sidelines. Lockett was ruled out-of-bounds and the pass incomplete originally, but the Seahawks challenged the play and review showed that Lockett had kept both feet inbounds for a completion and first down.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner tackles Eagles running back Boston Scott during the first half.
Seahawks receiver David Moore heads up the sideline for a 38-yard gain as teammate DK Metcalf blocks an Eagles defender.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch scores on a five-yard touchdown run to give Seattle a 10-3 lead heading into halftime.
At halftime, quarterbacks coaches Dave Canales and Austin Davis strategize with Russell Wilson and Geno Smith. At left is equipment assistant Kinner Blum.
Seahawks defensive linemen including Quinton Jefferson, Poona Ford, Jadeveon Clowney, Bryan Mone and Rasheem Green listen to instructions in the locker room at halftime.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch stiff-arms an Eagles defender on his way to a 20-yard gain.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf catches a 53-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to extend Seattle's lead in the third quarter. The initials 'JB' on Metcalf's wrist were in honor of teammate Jaron Brown, who missed the game.
Seahawks DK Metcalf, Marshawn Lynch, Russell Wilson and Travis Homer celebrate after Metcalf's long touchdown catch from Wilson in the third quarter.
Seahawks defenders Bradley McDougald and Poona Ford combine to stop Eagles running back Boston Scott.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles for yards as Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham dives in pursuit.
Seahawks receiver David Moore dances over would-be tackler Cre'Von LeBlanc in the second half.
Seahawks Jadeveon Clowney and Jarran Reed sack Eagles quarterback Josh McCown on fourth down with two minutes left in the game to stop a Philadelphia scoring threat.
Facing third-and-ten from their own 11-yard line, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw deep to receiver DK Metcalf, who leapt high in the air to make the reception and seal the victory for Seattle. Metcalf set an NFL record for rookie receiving yards in a playoff game with 160 yards.
Seahawks defenders Jarran Reed, Poona Ford and Quinton Jefferson point towards celebrating 12s in the stands at the end of the game.
Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin strike poses as the two film video segments for Seahawks fans after the game.
A jubilant Jadeveon Clowney hugs assistant coach Jethro Franklin in the locker room after the game.
Seahawks offensive lineman D.J. Fluker leads the celebration in the jubilant visitor's locker room after the win while at right, receiver DK Metcalf hugs offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
12s braved wind and rain to greet the Seahawks as the buses arrived at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center at nearly 1:30am on Monday morning.
