Jets fans will love Adonai Mitchell even more after raw take on Colts blunder

The New York Jets' decision to trade Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts not only netted them two first-round picks, but it also enabled them to buy low on wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. After the Colts were done with Mitchell following an embarrassing self-inflicted fumble, the Jets took on the responsibility of showing the NFL what a talent he is.

Mitchell and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick appeared on an episode of "The Pivot" podcast with Ryan Clark and Channing Crowder. Mitchell explained what happened during the infamous play when he dropped the ball at the goal line, nullifying what would have been a 75-yard score and his first career touchdown. Mitchell said he was put in the "doghouse" after that play.

Not only did Mitchell, who said he simply got "caught up in the emotion" of possibly scoring his first NFL touchdown, struggle on the field after that, but he went through trouble off it as well when he "had to go home to an empty house." In New York, Mitchell is in a much better system on and off the field.

New York Jets WR Adonai Mitchell talks recovery after Colts blunder

What people forget about that play is that Mitchell got wide open thanks to supreme route-running skill, juked a defender out of his shoes, and then sped down the sideline with blinding speed. The Jets are of the mindset that his dropping the ball was a brain fart, and what happened in the preceding 74 yards is more in line with what type of player he is.

Mitchell, who was picked 52nd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after weeks of first-round hype, caught just 32 passes in parts of two seasons with the Colts. Not only did the Jets give him 24 catches in his first eight games last year despite abysmal quarterback play, but he is starting the season as the team's No. 2 wide receiver.

Mitchell will be the vertical component to No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson and rookie slot stud Omar Cooper Jr. during the 2026 season. The combination of the coaching staff souring on him and starting in such a low place on a crowded Colts receiver room depth chart is ultimately what got him in trouble.

If tight end Kenyon Sadiq is as good as advertised, the Jets may be able to turn Gardner into two long-term starting pass catchers in Mitchell and Kenyon Sadiq (plus whatever they get from Indy's pick in 2027) in perhaps the best move Darren Mougey has made so far.

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