The Carolina Panthers have added a playmaker to their depth chart in free agency. And he’s got an existing relationship with starting quarterback Bryce Young.
The team reached an agreement on a one-year deal with former New York Jets wide receiver John Metchie III, a league source confirmed to The Charlotte Observer.
ESPN was first to report the agreement.
Metchie was set to become a restricted free agent Wednesday, but the Jets chose not to offer him a restricted tender. So, the former Alabama standout was free to sign with a new team at the start of the new league year.
GM Dan Morgan and EVP of Football Operations Brandt Tilis were able to reach a pact with Metchie roughly a half-hour into Wednesday’s open market.
Metchie now joins a wide receiver group headlined by Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette. The depth chart also features Jimmy Horn Jr., Brycen Tremayne and recently re-signed David Moore.
Getting to know new Panthers WR John Metchie
The former Alabama receiver has had to weather quite a bit of adversity during his NFL career. Shortly after being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, Metchie was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. He was forced to sit out his entire rookie season while undergoing treatment.
He returned to the field in 2023, and appeared in 16 games, producing 16 catches for 158 yards. His performance improved in 2024, as he snagged 24 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown. He was traded to Philadelphia in 2025, appearing in just seven games before being sent to the New York Jets around the NFL trade deadline. While with the Jets for just nine games, Metchie put up career-high numbers with 29 catches for 256 yards and two touchdowns..
Metchie will now reunite with Young, who served as his starting QB in Tuscaloosa in 2021. Metchie and Young connected on 96 completions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns during that campaign.
This developing story will be updated.