Korey Lee (Indianapolis): With Alec Pierce being out, in what ways could they start using AD Mitchell more in the passing game?
Harold Miller (Bedford, Ind): Do you see a expanded role for Adonai Mitchell in our current passing scheme?
JJ Stankevitz: You’ll probably see more of Mitchell this weekend if Pierce indeed is out (we’ll see on Friday’s final practice report of the week, but he didn’t practice Wednesday and Thursday with a concussion). Against the Titans, Mitchell played 42 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps, his highest percentage of the season – not surprising given Pierce exited late in the third quarter. Of Mitchell’s 24 snaps against the Titans, 14 came after Pierce came out of the game.
One thing to keep in mind here: Mitchell had a fantastic training camp, which Steichen brought up when discussing the second-year Texas product this week. Steichen specifically mentioned Mitchell made strides in making plays over the middle of the field and on contested catches leading up to the 2025 season.
“He’s always been able to win one-on-ones and create that separation, and that hasn’t changed,” Steichen said. “But I think going into Year Two, he’s always been a worker. He’s an ‘in here early morning’ guy. But I think as you just get older and you kind of see the NFL and how it works and everything and how you go about your business, I think that level of standard just continues to raise. So, we really like where he’s at right now.”
As for if Mitchell could expand his role in the Colts’ passing attack, he very well could – though prior to Pierce’s concussion, the Colts were utilizing him to get open against one-on-one coverage. He made a tough catch against cornerback Pat Surtain II in Week 2, and early in the second quarter of the Colts’ season opener, he and quarterback Daniel Jones had an impressive link-up on a 17-yard out-breaker to the sideline that looked borderline unguardable with the way it was executed. The Colts can and will tap into plays like that as the season goes on, as a baseline here.
“I’ve kind of sat in this chair at this table about 10 different times and said I am betting on AD Mitchell,” offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. “So, if AD is called to play a very large role in a game plan one week, I’m betting on success for him. He’s a young player. He’s learning. It’s probably not going to be a perfect game. We’ll have some plus grades and some minus grades on our coaching sheet, but AD is really coming along as a young receiver. We’re excited about him. Look for him to attack his role each week and try to make the most of it. If the role is bigger then make the most of a bigger role. If the role is smaller, make the most of what your role is. That’s what we’ve all got to do on this offense, on this team, to be a part of a good Colts team. AD is going about his business the right way.