Undrafted rookie tight end Chamon Metayer wasn’t able to last long enough with the Pittsburgh Steelers to attend training camp at Latrobe. But he will get a shot at an NFL training camp nonetheless.
According to the NFL’s transaction wire, the Carolina Panthers signed Metayer on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Panthers announced placing wide receiver Chris Brazzell II on injured reserve.
Metayer was one of two tight ends the Steelers signed in undrafted free agency following the 2026 NFL Draft. The other tight end — Lake McRee — is still with the Steelers at training camp.
The team released Metayer to create roster space to sign linebacker Jamin Davis and veteran tight end Robert Tonyan on June 4.
In 43 college games, Metayer had 94 catches, 971 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns over four seasons. The tight end registered 38 receptions, 375 receiving yards and four scores as a senior at Arizona State in 2025.
Ex-Steelers TE Chamon Metayer Signs With Panthers
The Steelers had a very small undrafted free agency class this year. With that in mind, it was actually impressive the Arizona State tight end was one of the few chosen in Pittsburgh worthy of signing to an undrafted free agency contract.
However, the Steelers elected to gain more experience with Tonyan at tight end instead. Tonyan also has previous experience with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Tonyan played for the Green Bay Packers with Rodgers from 2018-22. In 2020 when Rodgers won MVP, Tonyan posted 52 catches for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Metayer will try to carve out a role for the Panthers this month. However, he will likely face an uphill battle to a roster spot.
Carolina has six other tight ends already on its training camp roster. The team’s top three tight ends in terms of receiving yardage last season, Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans, will all be back.
Metayer will likely compete with Feleipe Franks, James Mitchell, and Caden Prieskorn for opportunities this August.
Steelers TE Depth at NFL Training Camp
Even without the pair of undrafted tight ends, the Steelers have six players at the position on the roster. That includes their top two in terms of receiving last season — Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
Tight end was a heavily featured offensive position under previous offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. It likely won’t be again this fall in Mike McCarthy’s offense.
But Freiermuth and Washington should see plenty of opportunities. The TE3 on the roster won’t have as many responsibilities. But that role does appear to be up for grabs.
McRee and Tonyan are competing for the job along with youngsters Jaheim Bell and JJ Galbreath.
McRee is an undrafted rookie while Galbreath and Tonyan are each former undrafted tight ends. The New England Patriots selected Bell in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Steelers will open their preseason slate against the Packers on Thursday, August 13. Kickoff will be at 7 pm ET. That, along with the team’s other two exhibition games, could go a long way to determining who is Pittsburgh’s TE3 and TE4 to begin the regular season.
All NFL teams must cut their rosters down to 53 players by 6 pm ET on August 30.
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