First Call: Seahawks GM adds background to the DK Metcalf trade; Shedeur Sanders speeding violation was 2nd since NFL Draft

Friday’s “First Call” provides a backdrop on the DK Metcalf trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers from a Seattle perspective.

We also have some more background to the Shedeur Sanders traffic issues in Cleveland and the results from Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Plus, an achievement for a Duquesne women’s basketball alum.

A lot to say about DK

During this week’s “3-and-Out” podcast with former Philadelphia Eagles scout John Middlekauff, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider spoke openly about how the DK Metcalf trade to the Steelers transpired this offseason.

“Pittsburgh, Omar (Khan), those guys were really aggressive,” Schneider said.

The way Schneider tells it, the Seahwaks had minimal motivation to trade Metcalf this winter.

“In regards to DK, we had a ton of conversations last offseason about his legacy and where he wanted to go. Once he met the new coaching staff, he was excited. And then this year, it just happened, and again, you can’t change the way people think. As much as we love him and want to have him here when people want to leave, it’s difficult to try to convince them to stay,” Schneider said. “Once we got back from the Combine, we had another real open talk. Then we told him we would concede to his wishes. No promises, but we’ll see where it goes.”

Well, it got to the point that the Steelers offered a second-round pick (No. 52 overall) in the 2025 NFL draft going back to Seattle from Pittsburgh, along with a five-year, $150 million extension of his contract.

Now let’s see how “aggressive” the Steelers get as they try to find a No. 2 receiver to aid Metcalf, given that they have already traded George Pickens as the other starting wide receiver.

Not the first time

Apparently, Shedeur Sanders’ eye-catching speeding violation this week wasn’t his first in Ohio since he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns.

The rookie quarterback was cited for driving 101 mph on Interstate 71 in Strongsville, Ohio, on Tuesday. Now ESPN.com is reporting that the former Colorado Buffalo was also pinched for going 91 mph in a 65 mph zone in Brunswick Hills, Ohio, on June 5.

The website states that Sanders failed to appear Monday for an arraignment for that citation and faces $269 in fines and court costs. He then got the second ticket Tuesday night.

The Browns addressed the situation through team spokesman Peter John-Baptiste, stating to Cleveland.com, “He is taking care of the tickets.”

As a result of the most recent violation, Sanders must either pay a $250 fine for the fourth-degree misdemeanor or fight the ticket in Strongsville Mayor’s Court on July 3.

More sports

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• Steelers RG Mason McCormick talks, plays like a veteran belying his 2nd-year NFL status
• Pirates face familiar type of test to open series against Rangers

Staying alive

The Indiana Pacers have forced a Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals — and Chartiers Valley alum T.J. McConnell is a big reason why.

McConnell scored 12 points off the bench. The one-time Duquesne Duke shot 6 of 12 from the floor and added nine rebounds, six assists and four steals as Indy won Game 6 by a final score of 108-91.

T.J. GETTING IT DONE ON BOTH ENDS ???????? https://t.co/qNGhQKYb7Z pic.twitter.com/OJhXmMcDmv

— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2025

Game 7 will be played Sunday in Oklahoma. Six different Pacers were in double digits. Obi Toppin led the way with 20 points and six rebounds.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 21 to lead the Thunder.

A Precious moment

Duquesne women’s basketball alum Precious Johnson began play with team Sweden on Thursday in the 2025 Women’s European Basketball Championships in Germany.

They played the host country and lost 89-76. Johnson didn’t play in the game.

A native of Helsingborg, Johnson is making her national Team Sweden EuroBasket debut. She is now playing with David Kornel in the Hungary-A Division, averaging 13.7 points and 9.6 rebounds.

A five-year vet of the Dukes, the 6-foot-4 forward shot 51.7% from the field (424 for 820), ranking second all-time at Duquesne, while her 158 career blocks are the fourth-most in program history. Johnson surpassed the 1,000-point milestone in her final season on the Bluff, finishing with 1,039 points.

Her father, Stew Johnson, is a native of Clairton and an alum of the Pittsburgh Condors and Pipers. He’s the ninth all-time leading scorer in ABA history.