Latest news with #JohnMetchieIII
Winnipeg Free Press
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
NFL to discuss resolution to allow its players to play in 2028 Summer Games
NFL players are one step closer to participating in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. League owners will discuss a resolution next week to allow NFL players to play in the flag football competition at the '28 Games. The sport will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles. In a statement issued Thursday by the NFL, the resolution would allow for no more than one player from each team to participate in Olympic flag football. Clubs would also designate an international player to participate for his country. That could prove beneficial for Canada's national men's flag football program given the number of Canadian skill-position players currently in the NFL. That includes receivers Josh Palmer and John Metchie III, both of Brampton, Ont., (Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, respectively) and Jared Wayne, of Peterborough, Ont., (Texans), to name a few. The idea of Canadian-born professional players representing their country in Los Angeles is an intriguing one. Two Canadian-born quarterbacks will be starting this season in the CFL — Victoria's Nathan Rourke with the B.C. Lions and Tre Ford, of Niagara Falls, Ont., with the Edmonton Elks. Also Taylor Elgersma, of London, Ont., last year's Hec Crighton Trophy winner who guided the Laurier Golden Hawks to the Vanier Cup, recently signed with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. And the head coach of Canada's men's flag football team is Paul LaPolice, a former CFL head coach. There have been whispers of some CFL players being interested in playing for Canada in Los Angeles but nothing concrete has come about. The Olympics will be held during the CFL regular season. But the CFL would welcome its players participating in the flag football competition in Los Angeles. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'It would be incredible to see CFL players compete at the 2028 Olympics,' the CFL said in a statement. 'Despite the challenge of the Games taking part midway through our season, participation remains our goal — and the CFL is fully committed to finding a way to make it happen.' Both Canada's men's and women's flag football teams have yet to qualify for the '28 L.A. Games and have identification camps slated for later this month in Montreal. Football Canada executive director Kevin McDonald said while the immediate goal is to secure Olympic qualifications, the organization would welcome professional players being involved in the evaluation process. 'We've got a lot of work to do … before we contemplate the Olympics,' he said. 'We're in the early stages of building our program and we're looking to assemble the best athletes that give our team a chance to win at any given time. 'If the pro player situation gets resolved, then we'll evaluate those interested players when they become available and our coaching staff will have to make those decisions when the time comes. Having the pro athletes in the mix would be great for drawing attention to the program and they would intensify the competition for roster spots.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans WR John Metchie III named top trade target for 2025 offseason
Texans WR John Metchie III named top trade target for 2025 offseason With the offseason additions of Christian Kirk, Justin Watson, Braxton Berrios, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, the Houston Texans could be parting ways with one of their veterans ahead of training camp this summer. Pro Bowl target Nico Collins is a top-five receiver in the AFC and locked in long-term as C.J. Stroud's No. 1 weapon. Kirk, whom the Texans traded for from Jacksonville to avoid targeting him in free agency, should be the starting slot receiver this season. Higgins, Houston's first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, will likely start on the outside while Noel should compete for reps with Kirk and add value on special teams in the return game. That leaves Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III on the outside looking in for 2025. According to Bleacher Report's Matt Holder, the latter might need a change of scenery if he plans on living up to his former second-round potential in a pivotal Year 4. "That's a lot of mouths to feed and could make the Alabama product expendable over the coming months," Holder wrote. "Metchie is entering a contract year and likely won't be brought back with the organization's investments in the former Cyclones. But he was a top 50 draft pick who has plenty of talent to be more productive with a bigger opportunity elsewhere. Also, the 24-year-old was reportedly receiving trade interest heading into last season." Houston had high hopes for Metchie when it traded up to the No. 44 pick in 2022 with the Cleveland Browns to select him. Despite coming off a torn ACL in his final college season, the Texans believed his smooth route-running and attention to detail in space would elevate the passsing attack for Davis Mills and a new-look Texans' offense. But Metchie was forced to miss the entirety of his rookie season after being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, a rare but treatable form of cancer. With nearly two years removed from the game, Metchie has been slow to return to full speed, therefore costing him time in Houston to become a standout roleplayer. Over the past two seasons, Metchie has totaled just 40 catches for 412 yards and a touchdown reception. Still, the former All-SEC standout has the skills to become a stable No. 3 target, which could lead to a change of scenery in his future.
