The Indianapolis Colts made a bold move at the 2025 trade deadline, swinging a deal for star cornerback Sauce Gardner in hopes of transforming a defense that had been more patchwork than powerhouse. It was a high-risk, high-reward play-one that reflected a front office betting big on its postseason aspirations. But as Week 13 wrapped, the early returns on that gamble were mixed at best.
Gardner, who had been solid since joining the Colts, left Sunday’s game with an injury. The Colts dropped their third game in four weeks, and the defense-already dealing with depth issues-looked vulnerable without its new cornerstone in the secondary.
Meanwhile, the player the Colts gave up in that trade, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, had his breakout moment in a Jets uniform.
Mitchell, now catching passes in New York, turned in the best game of his young NFL career in Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons. He hauled in eight receptions for 102 yards and found the end zone for the first time as a pro-on a 52-yard catch-and-run that showed off every bit of the promise that made him such a tantalizing prospect in Indianapolis.
It was the kind of performance that leaves fans wondering what could’ve been.
To be clear, Mitchell hadn’t played a major role in most of the Jets’ earlier wins. But in this one, he was front and center.
He didn’t just contribute-he helped tilt the game. His touchdown wasn’t just a stat-padding score; it was a momentum-changer, the kind of play that energizes a sideline and quiets a stadium.
And it came with a bit of personal redemption.
Colts fans will remember a certain play from earlier this season-one that still stings. Sauce Gardner, in what looked like a surefire touchdown return, started celebrating just a little too early.
He dropped the ball inches before crossing the goal line. It bounced out of the end zone for a touchback, and the Rams went on to hand the Colts their first loss of the season.
It was a mental lapse that became a turning point.
Mitchell, watching from afar, took note.
After his performance against Atlanta, he reflected on that moment-not to throw shade, but to show how much he’s grown from similar mistakes. “That play definitely crosses the mind,” Mitchell told reporters.
“But it was a growing point and a learning point, so all I could do was grow and learn from it. And the only thing that was on my mind [Sunday] was just finish, finish, finish, finish.”
And finish he did.
His touchdown catch came in a different context-this time, he was already in the end zone when he secured the ball-but the message was clear: no more mental errors, no more missed opportunities. Just execution.
The Jets walked away with a win. The Colts, again, did not.
There’s no indication that Mitchell took any joy in seeing his old team struggle. By all accounts, he’s a competitor, not a grudge-holder.
But it’s fair to say that his style, his development curve, and his potential ceiling might be better suited to New York’s system than Indy’s. Sometimes, it’s just about fit.
And right now, Mitchell looks like he’s found his.