This past Sunday, the once undefeated Indianapolis Colts (3-1) narrowly fell to the Los Angeles Rams 27-20, as 2nd-year wideout AD Mitchell’s egregious 2nd half mistakes proved to be costly to overcome.
While he also had a later offensive holding call that wiped out a 50+ yard potentially game-winning Jonathan Taylor touchdown run, the clearly bigger blunder of the two was Mitchell failing to properly secure the football while crossing the goal line on an otherwise would-be impressive, highlight reel 56-yard touchdown catch and run from starting quarterback Daniel Jones that should’ve ended up with 7 points for the Colts early in the 3rd quarter—and the Colts only down 10-13.
Instead, Mitchell lost control of the football prior to crossing the plane, when attempting to switch hands in anticipation of prematurely celebrating, and it ended up as a touchback with the Rams gaining possession.
It’s the time of bonehead play that simply can’t happen—and shouldn’t have by any stretch of the imagination.
It’s also noteworthy because a similar situation happened with Colts start running back Jonathan Taylor late last season, and Mitchell was on the team as a rookie. Clearly, nothing was learned from that recent embarrassment.
I’m not sure what it is with the Colts and properly crossing goal lines, as since demoted 3rd-year quarterback Anthony Richardson also let up near the goal line in Week 2 at Houston during his rookie season back in 2023, and suffered an avoidable concussion. It’s been three years of three goal line mental mishaps respectively.
That being said, one of the reoccurring sentiments I’ve surprisingly seen on Twitter (X) and in our reader comments, is that Mitchell should be cut for this latest Colts’ goal line gaffe.
Look, I’m all for holding players properly accountable when deserved, and there arguably should be some ramifications issued by the Colts coaching staff for Mitchell’s bonehead play (i.e., even a healthy scratch for a game or two, especially if deep threat Alec Pierce is back next week), but let’s be realistic here.
He’s too talented to cut right now and is still only 22-years-old.
This isn’t a fringe 53-man roster player just fighting for a spot that the Colts could arguably easily replace, regarding a lower level backup on the depth chart. Mitchell has an elite NFL skill-set with his ability to consistently separate, and it’s coupled with an also tantalizing size-speed combination.
Let’s not forget that had the fumble not happened (and I was literally mid-text texting my longtime Colts buddy, “AD MITCHELL” in call caps with no context needed) that it would’ve gone down as one of the greatest catches in recent Colts franchise history. Good thing I didn’t hit send though. The catch itself does speak to Mitchell’s immense upside and ability though as a young wide receiver in the league.
Completely different set of circumstances, but I always think back to when team owner Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys passed on Randy Moss back in the 1998 NFL Draft because of off-the-field concerns. It ended up biting them, as he became a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest wideouts in NFL history.
Moss benefited from having veteran Cris Carter’s presence early on in his career while at Minnesota, while Mitchell continues to work with Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne among other potential NFL mentors.
Hopefully, that pairing eventually pays off for both Mitchell’s early development and the Colts’ investment—and increasingly tested patience.
Not saying Mitchell is Randy Moss by any means yet, but the point being that you can’t write a young player off or give up on him too early, especially if they’re talented enough to wait on and hope that they mature. So far, Mitchell’s talent, ability, and upside still outweigh the past mistakes (even as egregious as Sunday’s were).
That won’t always continue; however, meaning that his maturity and focus have to immediately improve going forward. NFL teams will wait, but only so long, or if the issues outweigh the talent, they’ll cut ties entirely.
The Colts have to hope that this is a major learning lesson for Mitchell, as well as his teammates, and is something that should never happen again.
Cut? Absolutely not.
Bench? Yes, to better reinforce that player accountability.
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