Sometimes, a move from one team to another is really all a football player needs to find himself and become a productive force. That might be happening for former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. He joined the New York Jets in the middle of last season and was immediately better.
Ahead of his first full season in New York, Mitchell is ready for more. He also stated as much while possibly accidentally throwing some shade at Indy head coach Shane Steichen.
Mitchell told the New York Daily News that after joining the Jets, "I would say the coaching staff did a great job of pulling me along and making sure I knew kind of where I was going and what to do...But that’s why I’m excited about this year. Being able to get a full year under my belt, learning the offense through OTAs, training camp, things like that, and prepare for the season in the right way."
Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell excited to be a part of the New York Jets
Whatever New York's coaching staff told the wide receiver last season was getting through to the player a lot better than how he was being directed in Indianapolis. He failed to do much as a rookie in 2024 after being a second-round draft pick, and last season, he made the dreadful decision of trying to celebrate just as he was about to score his first career touchdown for the Colts.
In Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, Mitchell caught a pass from Daniel Jones and raced toward the end zone. Just inches before scoring, he seemingly tried to stick the ball out to celebrate, and the ball slipped out of his hands and through the back of the end zone for a touchback for LA. It was one of the more embarrassing moments one can have on the field.
Midway through the season, the Colts shipped Mitchell and a couple of first-round draft selections to get Sauce Gardner from New York. Gardner finished by missing half the game he could have played for Indy due to a calf issue. Mitchell was just beginning to find himself.
In his first season and a half with the Indianapolis Colts, the receiver caught 32 passes for 464 yards and zero touchdowns. In eight games with the Jets, Mitchell had 24 receptions for 301 yards and two touchdowns. A change of scenery helped make him a viable NFL player. He might be even better in his second season with New York.
As for playing with new quarterback Geno Smith, Adonai Mitchell raved about the possibility. He might have felt the same about playing with Daniel Jones, though Mitchell was not as effusive in his praise last offseason.
About Smith, Mitchell said, "He’s a baller. He’s a natural leader. He’s kind of the alpha in the room. That’s the best way I could put it. He takes initiative, and he communicates very well. I’m excited."
The communication aspect never was successful with the Colts. Now, the second-round draft pick is set up to be an important part of the New York Jets offense.
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