Entering the season, New York Jets fans questioned whether the wide receiver room behind Garrett Wilson had enough upside. After a 1-7 start to the year, those sentiments rang true. Unfortunately, the duo of Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard was showing their age. A former wide receiver himself, general manager Darren Mougey needed to get creative. Thankfully, after a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Jets have seen positive returns from John Metchie III. Through only three games, the 25-year-old has become a reliable option on offense in Garrett Wilson’s absence. While they will continue to assess the rest of the offense, Metchie is doing just enough to earn a large role in 2026.
Young Receiver Proving to Be Worth the Risk for Jets
With a record of 2-9, the Jets are experiencing the growing pains that come with a new regime. While the team has struggled to show the same fight on defense during the Robert Saleh era, there is hope for new head coach Aaron Glenn. Under his watch, the Jets have become a top-five rushing team in the league. Along with an improved offensive line, anchored by rookie right tackle Armand Membou. Alas, this also comes with a bottom-tiered passing game. The struggles of quarterback Justin Fields have held back how explosive they can be through the air. It’s made worse by the lack of youth in the wide receiver room outside of Garrett Wilson and rookie Arian Smith.
“It looks like the Jets found a number three slot receiver in John Metchie and I’m so happy to see his NFL career finally taking off after the road he’s had”
On Jets Post Game Live, @ConnorJRogers discusses the difficult road John Metchie has faced in his young NFL career: pic.twitter.com/ha3ZWup2UO
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 24, 2025
The duo of Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds is on the wrong side of thirty and already limited in how they impact the game. Thankfully, Darren Mougey decided to do something about it. Instead of making a big swing for some help, Mougey took a gamble by acquiring two young wide receivers. First came the addition of John Metchie from the Philadelphia Eagles in the Michael Carter trade. In addition, former second-round pick Adonai Mitchell was included in the Sauce Gardner trade with the Indianapolis Colts. Of the two, John Metchie has been the one making an immediate impact already.
John Metchie is earning a long-term spot
It has been a long road for John Metchie. Originally a star wide receiver at Alabama, Metchie tore his ACL during the 2021 SEC Championship game. In addition to being a brutal injury, Metchie was in the midst of a great junior season. Before the injury, Metchie had 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns. Nonetheless, the injury didn’t stop the Houston Texans from drafting him 44th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, Metchie’s NFL debut had to wait after being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Thankfully, Metchie was medically cleared to play at the start of the Texans 2023 training camp. During his first full season, Metchie was seldom used. He finished the season with 16 catches for 158 yards. This continued into 2024; however, he recorded his first career touchdown against the Detroit Lions in Week 10. This was the first time future Jets head coach Aaron Glenn watched John Metchie in person.
During the offseason, the Houston Texans decided to shake up their wide receiver room. As a result, Metchie was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for tight end Harrison Bryant and a late-round pick swap. However, Metchie was a non-factor in Philly’s offense. Through seven games, Metchie only recorded four catches for 18 yards.
Metchie is making a great first impression
Despite only playing three games in New York, Metchie showed fans why he was a top 50 draft pick. In the Jets loss to the New England Patriots in Gillette Stadium, Metchie finished the game with three catches for 45 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Additionally, he followed that up with his best game of the season vs. the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday.
Despite the loss, Metchie was able to shine with the steady hand of Tyrod Taylor under center. After allowing Taylor to throw the ball more, Metchie finished the day with six catches for 65 yards and his second touchdown of the season. The Jets offense welcomed Metchie’s separation ability. Through the last two games, Metchie has ten catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns. With Garrett Wilson on Injured Reserve, Metchie’s breakout has been greatly appreciated.
Tyrod to Metchie for the Jets TD!
NYJvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/sXpeBshnhA
— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025
Can the Jets keep John Metchie in 2026?
At the end of the season, John Metchie’s rookie contract will expire, and he’ll enter restricted free agency. As a result, Metchie can negotiate & sign with any team this offseason. However, New York will have the right to match any offer he agrees to or receive compensation in the form of a late-round draft pick if tendered a qualifying offer. With growing rumors of New York targeting a quarterback early in the draft, having cheap wide receiver depth will be helpful. While he might not be the 1,000-yard season wide receiver he showed in college, John Metchie has a spot on an NFL offense. His performance thus far showed he can be a useful weapon behind Garrett Wilson with a good quarterback. As a result, I believe it’s in the best interest for both Metchie and the Jets for him to stay in 2026.
Main Photo: [Mitch Stringer] – Imagn Images
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