Jets fans feel vindicated after Adonai Mitchell proves Colts wrong

The NY Jets and their fans have been begging for Sauce Gardner trade piece Adonai Mitchell to break out after a difficult debut, and their Week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons provided all the opportunities he needed to make a statement.

Mitchell got behind the defense, adjusted to an underthrown deep ball from Tyrod Taylor, and rolled into the end zone for what ended up being his first professional touchdown. Even more importantly, he held onto the ball as he was crossing the goal line, which wasn't a given in Indianapolis.

The score came at an important moment, as it tied the game at 14-14 in the third quarter. A few more plays like this and the palpable hype around the former Texas star is only going to grow.

Adonai Mitchell keeps impressing Jets with first career NFL touchdown

Mitchell had just three catches in his first two games with the Jets, all while fellow trade acquisition wide receiver John Metchie III caught a touchdown pass in each of two losses against the Patriots and Ravens. It seemed like Metchie was the more impressive receiver of the two.

While Metchie has been held without a catch in the first three quarters against Atlanta, Mitchell caught five targets for 81 yards and his touchdown. The speed, big-play potential, and athletic ability that New York coveted in the Gardner trade are all managing to show up against a very tough Falcons pass defense.

If Mitchell is this effective for the remainder of the season, the Jets might be able roll into 2026 with him as a starter in base 11 personnel alongside Garrett Wilson, tight end Mason Taylor, and a player the team adds in the 2026 NFL Draft. That is by no means a bad situation for a rookie quarterback to hold on to.

Mitchell, like many Jets, is trying to prove he can be a part of the solution that turns this team around in the 2026 season. If he strings together a few more games like this, it will be very hard to deny him a very prominent role in the team's offensive plan of attack.