New York Jets wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III are both looking forward to fresh starts after recent trades brought them to the Jets. Their status for the upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns remains uncertain following a whirlwind trade deadline.
Mitchell”s connection with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn predates his arrival in New York. The two discovered that Mitchell attended Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas, at the same time Glenn”s daughter was there. “Pretty funny story,” Glenn remarked. After realizing their connection, Glenn asked his daughter if she knew Mitchell, who shares mutual friends from high school. “Again, that means he”s family, right?” Glenn added.
Mitchell was part of the trade that sent star cornerback Sauce Gardner from the Jets to the Indianapolis Colts. In return, New York received a first-round draft pick for 2026 and another for 2027, along with Mitchell.
“I actually had a couple of conversations with him,” Mitchell said of Glenn. “He told me he was very familiar with the Missouri City area and that I may have gone to school with his daughter. So yeah, we”ve got a lot of things to talk about, man.” Much of their discussions will center around how Mitchell can contribute on the field for the Jets.
The 23-year-old receiver was a second-round pick out of Texas last year but struggled to find a role with the Colts this season. His misfortunes included a notable blunder where he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line against the Los Angeles Rams, costing him a potential touchdown. Mitchell managed only two catches for 15 yards in four out of the next five games. “I hate that it didn”t work out,” he stated. “But I”m excited to be here.”
With the Jets, he has the opportunity to become a vital complementary option alongside the team”s top receiver, Garrett Wilson. “That”s the plan for him to come here, get a change of scenery, because he is definitely talented,” Glenn remarked. “When you look at AD, he is a true “X” receiver.”
Mitchell was surprised when the Colts informed him about the trade. “It caught me off guard, but I”m excited to be here,” he said. “I”m happy I didn”t find out through social media. I was able to have my conversation with the GM, the head coach, and I have a ton of respect for them. I was able to say my goodbyes to everybody. It was a very emotional day.” He added, “I”m very excited to be here and now I”m where my feet are.”
In a similar situation, Metchie III joined the Jets after being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles, who had acquired him from the Houston Texans earlier this season. The deal involved sending cornerback Michael Carter II to Philadelphia. Metchie has recorded four catches for 18 yards this year.
“Of course, this is the second time this season, right?” Metchie said about being traded again. “I”m more of an optimist, so it was just more opportunistic.” The receiver, who was a second-round pick by the Texans out of Alabama in 2022, missed his entire rookie season following a leukemia diagnosis but has shown promise since returning to the field.
“Metchie is a really good slot receiver,” Glenn commented. “I”m not saying he can”t play outside, but he is a master when it comes to the route concepts in the slot, being able to punch in and out of routes and create separation due to his quickness.” Metchie, 25, has a career total of 44 catches for 430 yards and a touchdown.
As both players acclimate to their new surroundings, it is unclear how involved they will be against the Browns. “They”re still learning our system,” Glenn stated. “They still have today to see exactly how we will integrate those guys into what we”re doing this weekend. So, I can”t promise you that, but they”ll definitely be a part of what we”ve got going on.” The Jets are set to host the Browns on Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS New York.
