Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have missed out on another opportunity to land a wide receiver before the start of the season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still in the market for another wide receiver since trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason. However, their options seem to be dwindling as another wide receiver is on the move.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Houston Texans are trading wide receiver John Metchie III to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Trade: the Houston Texans are sending WR John Metchie to the Philadelphia Eagles, per sources. pic.twitter.com/eqWw3lpL7B
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 17, 2025
The Texans have been tabbed as a potential trade partner for the Steelers since they are loaded at the position with veterans Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Tank Dell, Justin Watson, Xavier Hutchinson and Braxton Berrios as well as rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
Pittsburgh was not reportedly involved, though. The San Francisco 49ers were the other interested team in trying to acquire Metchie but were out bid by the Eagles, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Metchie would have been an intriguing addition to the Steelers’ thin wide receiver room as a second-round pick (No. 44 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The 25-year-old sat out his rookie season after being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia but has since showed flashes of why he was deserving of that draft capital.
Over the past two seasons, Metchie has recorded 40 receptions for 412 yards and a touchdown in primarily a backup role.
It wouldn’t have cost Pittsburgh too much to acquire Metchie, either. Philadelphia traded tight end Harrison Bryant and a fifth-round pick in exchange for Metchie and a sixth-round pick.
Full trade:
🏈Texans receive: TE Harrison Bryant and a 5th-round pick.
🏈Eagles receive: WR John Metchie and a 6th-round pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 17, 2025
On of the Steelers’ strongest positions just so happens to be tight end, too, with players like Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward and JJ Galbreath currently occupying the room.
However, it looks like Pittsburgh will just wait and see which players become available on NFL cutdown day, when teams trim their rosters from 90 players down to 53. Only time will tell if that will be the right gamble.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Miss Out on Another WR as Texans, Eagles Strike Trade
