Kyle Shanahan Promised Christmas Present to 49er Who Could Get Under DK Metcalf’s Skin, per Report

The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver is getting a reputation for losing his cool, and the San Francisco 49ers took advantage.

Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf has built a reputation as a bit of a hothead on the field, and opposing teams apparently are starting to take that into consideration when game-planning for him. 

One day before the 49ers’ Sunday win over the NFC West-rival Seahawks, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan held a team meeting at the Santa Clara Marriott and predicted a Metcalf meltdown, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Michael Silver. The meeting included video clips featuring past fits of rage from Metcalf, and Shanahan wanted his team to capitalize on the potential weakness. He added an incentive to get his point across. 

“We will get 14 [Metcalf] to lose his mind,” Shanahan told his players, per the report. “Christmas present for whoever gets him.”

Sure enough, San Francisco star linebacker Fred Warner did just that. The two-time All-Pro picked off Seattle’s Drew Lock with three minutes to go in the game and his team leading, 28–16. Warner flipped the ball to a teammate, but Metcalf decided he still wanted to a piece of him, slamming Warner into the ground. That prompted Warner to shove Metcalf in the back before jogging away. 

Metcalf didn’t let it go, though, and went after Warner again, grabbing his face mask and shoving him. This time, the 49ers star didn’t retaliate and got exactly what he wanted. Metcalf’s actions got him ejected, and Warner got the last laugh at the lectern after his team’s win. 

Things are getting heated in the Seahawks-Niners game

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/sGDJASKdAa

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 10, 2023

“Yeah, I don’t know what happened, man, I told him he tackles really well and then for some reason he didn’t like that and, you know, I guess what happened happened,” Warner told reporters. “It’s unfortunate, man. He gotta learn to keep his composure. But happy we came out with the dub.”  

Fred Warner details what went down in the DK Metcalf scuffle 👀 pic.twitter.com/jwOx8Swb8x

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) December 11, 2023

The 49ers (10–3) play at the Cardinals (3–10) on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.