Tim McManus
Wealthy Cimini
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Wealthy Cimini
ESPN Workers Author
- Wealthy Cimini is a employees author who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Wealthy has lined the Jets for over 30 years, becoming a member of ESPN in 2010. Wealthy additionally hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He beforehand was a beat author for the New York Every day Information and is a graduate of Syracuse College.
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles traded for some much-needed cornerback assist Wednesday, buying Michael Carter II and a 2027 seventh-round draft decide from the New York Jets for extensive receiver John Metchie III and a 2027 sixth-round decide, sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Eagles have two standout younger corners in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean however have struggled to land on a 3rd piece to the equation, with Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo each producing blended outcomes on the outdoors nook spot reverse Mitchell.
Philadelphia acquired Jakorian Bennett from the Las Vegas Raiders in August, however he has been sidelined for almost all of the season with a pectoral damage.
Carter, a fifth spherical decide in 2021, turned the NFL’s highest-paid slot corners in 2024, when he signed a three-year, $30.75 million extension. He is below contract by means of 2027 for $20.3 million, however solely $2.7 million is assured — his remaining base wage this season ($1.3 million) and a partial assure in 2026 ($1.4 million). One other $4 million is assured if he is on a roster subsequent March.
It is unclear if the Jets absorbed any of the cash to facilitate the commerce.
As soon as thought of an ascending participant, Carter has battled accidents the final two seasons. He missed 4 video games final season with a again damage, and he has missed three this 12 months with a concussion. He returned final Sunday in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals, however performed solely six snaps on protection. He was changed by the recently-acquired Jarvis Brownlee, Jr., who rapidly turned a favourite among the many Jets coaches.
Carter is understood extra for his move protection than his run protection, though he has solely two interceptions and 26 passes defensed in 65 video games. He additionally has 10 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries. The coaches most well-liked Brownlee over Carter, partially, as a result of they thought of Brownlee extra bodily as a tackler.
Eagles senior personnel director Joe Douglas was the Jets’ basic supervisor when New York drafted Carter.
DeJean has been enjoying base snaps on the surface and in sub-packages moved to the nickel spot, the place he has thrived.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was requested in regards to the prospect of transferring DeJean outdoors full-time — a transfer which may be forthcoming since Carter has performed virtually solely within the slot.
“We thought of it, however when you have got one of many higher gamers at a sure place — and it is an necessary place the place you get entangled extra — you hate to take a extremely good participant at one place to perhaps not be nearly as good of a participant or impactful of a participant at one other place,” Fangio mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s positively one thing that we have talked about.”
The Eagles obtained Metchie and a 2026 sixth-round decide from the Houston Texans in a mid-August commerce for tight finish Harrison Bryant and a fifth-round decide in 2026. He has 4 catches for 18 yards this season as a part of a receiver group led by A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson.
Metchie, within the remaining 12 months of his contract, will be a part of a patchwork Jets receiving corps.
Other than Garrett Wilson, who has missed the final two video games with a knee damage, New York has principally unproven younger gamers and older veterans. Starter Josh Reynolds (hip) was positioned on injured reserve final week, so the Jets wanted an skilled physique.
The deal additionally might sign the tip for Jets veteran receiver Allen Lazard, whose title has come up in commerce talks.