NFL star heading to Philadelphia Eagles in bombshell trade after overcoming leukemia battle
By JAKE FENNER,
The Philadelphia Eagles are acquiring wide receiver John Metchie III from the Houston Texans, according to multiple reports.
Philadelphia is receiving Metchie and a sixth-round pick in exchange for tight end Harrison Bryant and a fifth-round pick.
Metchie, a four-year veteran of the league, will be playing in only his third year of action after sitting out his rookie season.
Three months after being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Metchie was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). He missed the entire 2022 campaign as he underwent treatment.
Metchie, who was born in Taiwan but was raised in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, had an accomplished career at the University of Alabama.
He was named to the 2021 All-SEC second-team, won the 2020 national championship, and was a two-time winner of the Jon Cornish Trophy - given to the best Canadian in college football.
The Houston Texans are moving wide receiver John Metchie to the Philadelphia Eagles
Metchie is a four-year veteran, but missed his first season as he battled leukemia
But after the Texans picked him 44th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Metchie found out that July that he was suffering from APL. APL is among the most curable forms of leukemia - with a five-year survival rate of between 80 and 90 percent.
In a statement after his diagnosis was publicly revealed, Metchie said, 'I am currently receiving great medical care, am in good spirits and I expect to make a recovery at a later point in time.
'As a result of this diagnosis, I will likely not be playing football this season. My main focus will be on my health and recovery. Thank you in advance for your support and well-wishes. I cannot wait to come back stronger than ever. God bless.'
One year after his diagnosis, Metchie returned to training camp with the Texans - where he worked as a fifth string wide receiver behind the likes of Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Noah Brown, and Tank Dell.
He finished his second NFL season (his first playing season) seventh on the team in receiving yards with 158 yards on 16 catches.
In the 2024 season, Metchie improved slightly - moving up to sixth in yards with 254 yards on 24 catches.
He also hauled in his first touchdown catch of his career in 2024 in a game against the Detroit Lions. Metchie's score would put Houston up 23-7 before the Texans gave up 19 unanswered points to lose 26-23.
Metchie's move to Philadelphia will re-unite him with college teammate DeVonta Smith - who has become one of the top pass catchers for the Eagles. In addition to his fellow Alabama alum, Metchie will be fighting for time with A.J. Brown, Jahan Dotson, and Johnny Wilson.
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