The New York Jets haven’t had the smoothest ride this season, but amid the turbulence, there are a few bright spots-none brighter lately than wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Since arriving in New York, Mitchell has been quietly carving out a role for himself, and if you ask offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, it’s clear the rookie is turning heads for all the right reasons.
Engstrand, who’s seen his fair share of offensive reshuffling this year, doesn’t hold back when talking about Mitchell. According to reports, he lights up when discussing the young wideout, praising not just his physical tools, but his mental growth.
One thing that stands out? Mitchell’s grasp of the playbook.
Engstrand has noticed the game slowing down for him-Mitchell hears a play call in a walkthrough and knows exactly where he needs to be and what he needs to do. That kind of mental processing speed is rare for a young receiver, especially one dropped into a new system midseason.
Mitchell came over in a deadline deal that sent Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis-a bold move that raised plenty of eyebrows. And while the trade was headline-worthy on its own, Mitchell’s on-field performance since joining the Jets is starting to justify the shakeup. He had some bumps during his stint with the Colts earlier in the year, but in New York, he’s looked like a different player-more confident, more comfortable, and more impactful.
His breakout moment came in early December against the Falcons. With the Jets’ offense in desperate need of a spark, Mitchell delivered in a big way-hauling in a 52-yard touchdown from Tyrod Taylor that helped swing the game in New York’s favor. He finished the day with eight catches for 102 yards and the score, marking his most productive game as a pro and giving fans a glimpse of what he could become in this offense.
And make no mistake-Mitchell’s role is growing. With the Jets cycling through quarterbacks-Brady Cook got the nod last week with Tyrod Taylor sidelined and Justin Fields benched-the offense has been in flux. But through all the change, Mitchell has emerged as a steady presence and a reliable target, regardless of who’s under center.
There’s still plenty of football left this season, and while the Jets’ playoff hopes may be slim, Mitchell has given the team-and its fans-something to build on. Whether it’s his route-running, his ability to stretch the field, or his increasing chemistry with the quarterbacks, he’s making a strong case to be a long-term piece of this offense.
The Jets will have plenty of decisions to make in the offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball. But if his recent stretch is any indication, Adonai Mitchell is doing everything he can to make sure he’s part of the plan moving forward.