Justin Fields might have been given more time if not for Adonai Mitchell’s momentum-swinging drops in New England.
But unlike the former starting quarterback, Mitchell will get the chance to make amends Sunday against the Ravens.
“You don’t like having games like that,” Mitchell said Thursday, recounting the 27-14 loss to the Patriots. “It was a tough week, for sure, but all I can do is just shake it off. There’s nothing I can do about it now.”
Mitchell, a 2024 second-round pick who arrived from Indianapolis in the trade for Sauce Gardner, never found rhythm in his Jets debut, making one catch for 10 yards — on six targets — as well as a consequential drop near the Patriots 10-yard line.
Now, the 23-year-old receiver enters his 27th career game with his fourth starting quarterback (Tyrod Taylor).
“I went through it a lot my rookie year, so I’m just trying to watch film, trying to get extra throws in with him, just so I can get used to seeing him throw the ball and he can get used to the timing of seeing me run routes,” Mitchell said. “The only constant in life is change. Either you’re gonna adapt or you’re not gonna make it.”
The Jets acquired him because of his potential. A couple of drops doesn’t change his ceiling.
“If you watched his performance last week, I got it. The drops, that happens occasionally, but what I see there is separation, and that gets me fired up,” offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said. “We haven’t even scratched the surface with where he’s gonna go.”
Brandon Stephens was the league’s most targeted cornerback in his final two seasons with the Ravens. When he returns to Baltimore, few will recognize him.
When Stephens — the Ravens’ 2021 third-round pick — left Baltimore as a free agent this past offseason, he had finished 2024 as the 100th-rated cornerback (of 116), according to Pro Football Focus.
But through 10 games this season, Stephens — who signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Jets — has earned the 12th-best grade among 107 qualified players at his position, while allowing 29 receiving yards per game.
“[He’s] just a consistent, steady veteran,” defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said. “We knew that coming into the season that he was gonna be that guy for us. I know he won’t say it at all, and neither will we, but I’m sure he’s gonna be excited about this week, and hopefully he can continue to build on what he’s done throughout the year.”
Kene Nwangwu did not practice (hamstring). The explosive returner, who brought a kick back 99 yards for a score in the Nov. 9 win over Cleveland, has been limited to five games this season due to injuries. … Will McDonald (quad) and Harrison Phillips (foot) returned to practice as limited participants.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
