NFL Upholding Suspension to Cost DK Metcalf $45 Million in Guarantees Stuns Fans – “Most Expensive Punch in History”
DK Metcalf stands to lose a lot more than just game paychecks after the league upheld his two-game suspension.
DK Metcalf could lose $45 million (Image via Steelers/X)
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In his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, DK Metcalf may have struggled to match his performances from his Seattle Seahawks days, but now, he has a bigger problem on his hands.
After the Ole Miss star grabbed a Detroit Lions fan by his blue wig and then nearly connected on a punch, the wideout has seemingly ended his regular season after the NFL imposed a two-game suspension. Metcalf and his representatives tried to appeal the suspension, but the league upheld the punishment on the grounds that he violated conduct policies when it came to interacting with fans.
Now, not only is he done for the season, which means he will finish his first year in Pennsylvania with his lowest receiving yards, but he is also possibly on the verge of losing out on millions of dollars.
The wideout will lose $555,555 in salary this season. But when CBS Sports went through the details of the contract DK Metcalf signed with the Steelers, they found that he stands to lose a lot more.
His four-year, $132 million contract from March, reviewed by CBS Sports, notes that if he ‘fails… to practice or play with the Club for any reason,’ which includes “Player’s suspension by the NFL or Club for Conduct Detrimental,” his guarantees ‘will be NULL AND VOID.’
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones revealed
After every other leading insider corroborated this detail, it means that if the Steelers want to have their way, they could avoid paying their leading pass catcher the $45 million they owe him.
Fans lose their minds after DK Metcalf’s costly swing at fan
Fans already had an idea that his aggressive altercation with the Detroit Lions fan was going to cost DK Metcalf. But they were not prepared to digest the news that those actions would almost forfeit $45 million, a sum many players work hard throughout their careers to earn.
They believe the Mississippi native should have kept his cool, as he has possibly given up generational wealth in his 10 seconds of madness. Check out examples of those reactions below:
The most expensive punch in NFL history…
— J_Connor (@RedZ06) December 24, 2025
The $45M being voided is pretty harsh imo.
— risicare (@risicare_eth) December 24, 2025
Obviously shouldn’t throw a punch, but to ruin his career?
Sherrone Moore: I’m having a bad month
— Reminiscences of an American Capitalist (@4Awesometweet) December 24, 2025
DK Metcalf: Hold my beer
😉
He fumbled a massive bag. That's crazy!
— Corey's Gaming Hub (@GreatStoryCorey) December 24, 2025
One moment in anger can cost you SOOO much.
— Hybrid 🏃🏾 (@_markfenner) December 24, 2025
Controlling your emotions is an important skill to have
Two games turned into $45M going up in smoke. That’s not a suspension — that’s financial capital punishment
— Earn AI (@EarnAiX) December 24, 2025
That’ll teach
— ELEGANT ERICA J (@ElegantEricaJ) December 24, 2025
What could the guy have possibly said to make that happen?
— Jay Shelton (@4realestatehulk) December 24, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers might do DK Metcalf a favor and figure out a way to reinsert some, if not all of that guaranteed money. But there is a reason organizations include such clauses.
Even though some players have managed to force franchises to remove such clauses, the very fact that it is present in the 28-year-old’s contract is an indication that he was alright with it.
Marcus Spears believes DK Metcalf’s actions could cost Steelers
DK Metcalf might be regretting what he has done, as he might have cost himself a fortune. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Steelers will also be affected, as Marcus Spears claimed on NFL Live.

It’s the worst possible time not to have him… It’s going to get harder for an offense that we’ve seen struggle for a large majority of this season.
Marcus Spears said
The former Dallas Cowboys’ defensive tackle mentioned that the Steelers were ascending at the right time, with Aaron Rodgers having a stellar game against the Lions.
"It's the worst possible time not to have him. … It's going to get harder for an offense that we've seen struggle for a large majority of this season."@mspears96 analyzes what it will be like for the Steelers not to have DK Metcalf vs. the Browns. pic.twitter.com/GKV8BFJpXq
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 23, 2025
At the same time, the defense, which managed to collapse a few games before, and the special teams also played well. For them to now lose their best receiver will impact their rhythm.
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