What happens if Metcalf is injured during this process?
Michael-Shawn Dugar, Seahawks beat writer: Well, the Seahawks are probably wondering the same thing. Based on the terms of a standard rookie contract, there’s a world in which Seattle comes for a piece of his signing bonus in the event of injury that prevents Metcalf from performing his contractual obligations to the Seahawks. That’s unlikely, I’d imagine, because the worst that can probably happen during all of this is Metcalf injures his hamstring, which isn’t exactly a career-ending situation.
Lindsay Jones, senior NFL writer: The Seahawks will get plenty of publicity out of Metcalf’s foray into track, but I would expect head coach Pete Carroll to hold his breath for the 10 seconds or so that Metcalf races to make sure his star receiver gets through his race healthy because Metcalf is critical to Seattle’s offensive plans.
Are there other NFL players who would do well at the trials?
Jones: It isn’t unheard of for ultra-fast NFL players to dabble in track and field; the most recent track and field star is current Bears receiver Marquise Goodwin, who placed 10th in the long jump at the 2012 London Olympics. He participated in the 2016 Olympic Trials but did not make the team for the games in Brazil. Goodwin won the long jump at a track meet earlier this year and achieved the Olympic qualifying standard. So, while Metcalf is a fun name to watch, Goodwin might actually have a shot at the Olympics, should he choose to pursue it this summer.
But as far as sprinters go, Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill was a high school track star, and broke 10 seconds as a teenager (though his personal best was wind-aided) would be exciting to watch on the track.
(Photo: Kyle Ross / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
