Former Alabama WR inks one-year deal with Panthers to reunite with Bryce Young

Former Alabama wideout John Metchie III is signing a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

This move reunites Metchie and Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, his former teammate at Alabama. The two were a dynamic duo in 2021 as Young connected with Metchie 96 times for 1142 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Metchie’s most recent stop in the NFL was with the New York Jets, and he turned some heads at times this season. He began the season in Philadelphia but did not see the field that often, and he was traded to the Jets before the trade deadline. After he arrived in New York, he showed that he can be a legitimate receiving threat at times. 

His best performance was against the Baltimore Ravens. Metchie hauled in six passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. 

The Jets were terrible in 2025, but he was responsible for a decent amount of their receiving success toward the back end of the year. While in a Jets uniform, Metchie caught 29 passes for 256 yards and two scores.

The Panthers won the NFC South last season, and they came up a tad short in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams. Carolina is making an effort to improve what Young has around him, and bringing in a former Alabama teammate of his could prove to be a solid move if the chemistry is still there.