Anyone who thinks he is not a Jazz player of the highest order is just not listeningTales From The Hudson was, IMHO, Michael Brecker's best album. I purchased it after buying a few of his earlier sessions as a leader and many more as a sideman or co leader/collaborator.
And yes Metheny is a great jazz guitarist - on that album. Anyone who thinks Metheny is not one of the best ever on the instrument is in denial.
Where it gets blurred is that Metheny, on all of his own projects and collaborations with Lyle Mays I really can't call it jazz. I have listened to Metheny play straight ahead jazz often, on TFTH and other sessions where he plays in the traditional jazz harmonies like Montgomery or Martino.
I would call Metheny's projects "creative guitar music"
As in
(7) PAT METHENY & LYLE MAYS ~ SEPTEMBER FIFTEENTH -
YouTube
Its when Metheny collaborates with someone other then Lyle Mays that he sound more "jazz like"
As in
(7) Jazzfest Berlin 1990 - (III) - Pat Metheny Trio - Dave Holland (b) - Roy Haynes (dr) deel 1.avi - YouTube
And here is an example of Metheny jamming like a "hard rocker" fast forward to 4:10
(7) Pat Metheny & Anna Maria Jopek-Are you going with me? - YouTube
Do I think Pat Metheny is a guitar virtuoso - yes, do I think his albums with Lyle Mays (the bulk of his own art) sound like jazz..no