Colts' camp star AD Mitchell torches Ravens in joint practice … and let them hear about it

New York Times

5 days ago

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Anthony Richardson didn't hesitate. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback knew where he wanted to go with the football, so when the window opened, he ripped it. Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce, running a skinny post down the left sideline, caught the ball in stride for about a 20-yard gain before skirting out of bounds.
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That was Richardson's first throw in what turned out to be a strong 11-on-11 performance during Tuesday's joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens. It was also a reminder of how much has changed … or at least the Colts hope.
Last year, when the Colts went on the road for a joint practice in Cincinnati, it was a nightmare for the 2023 No. 4 pick. Richardson finished 10-of-20 passing during 11-on-11, and the Bengals defenders openly mocked him.
'He's just throwing to spots!' Bengals safety Geno Stone yelled at Colts reporters who were standing nearby. 'He doesn't see his receivers.'
'Is that all he does is run?' Bengals cornerback Cameron Taylor-Britt chimed in.
Both players' scathing assessment of Richardson foreshadowed a roller coaster 2024 campaign that was a lot more down than up. Richardson threw 12 interceptions in 11 starts, and his 47.7 completion percentage ranked last in the NFL. Richardson's goal this offseason, he said, was to clean up his footwork and mechanics so he can make the simpler throws, which would, in theory, raise his efficiency. Tuesday was the latest example of the work Richardson has put in as he finished 10-of-13 passing in 11-on-11, including a short touchdown pass to wide receiver Ashton Dulin in a red zone period. Richardson carved up the Ravens' defense with a series of short and intermediate passes, mixed with a few of his signature downfield throws to still give the Colts' offense an explosive edge.
Colts coach Shane Steichen announced after Tuesday's practice that Richardson will start in Thursday's preseason opener at Baltimore. The plan is for Richardson to play one quarter and another half quarter before being replaced by Daniel Jones, who is competing with Richardson for the QB1 title, for the rest of the first half. The signal callers will then flip roles (and playing time) for the Colts' second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers next week. Steichen has yet to commit to one passer, perhaps because every time Richardson tries to separate himself from his challenger, Jones won't let go of the rope.
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Like Richardson, Jones also delivered a steady outing against the Ravens. The ex-Giants starter finished 14-of-17 passing, and though he didn't push the ball downfield as much as Richardson, he kept the chains moving. Steichen has stressed consistency throughout this QB battle this offseason, and so far, Jones has been more consistent than Richardson, which still gives a good shot to start in Week 1.
'I thought both quarterbacks did some really good things,' Steichen said Tuesday, refusing to lean one way or the other. '… (I'm) excited to go back and watch the tape.'
AD Mitchell didn't care that the pass from Jones was slightly overthrown. After beating Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins in a 1-on-1 drill to start Tuesday's joint practice, Mitchell shouted in the direction of several media members who witnessed him make Wiggins look bad at the line of scrimmage.
'Burnt toast!' Mitchell said, referencing Wiggins, who was still within earshot.
A few reps later, Mitchell proved he doesn't have a preference for which Ravens cornerback he burns. He doesn't think any of them can guard him anyway, and Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie soon became his next victim. After Mitchell quickly discarded Awuzie at the line of scrimmage and gained a step on him, he stepped on the gas and caught a perfectly placed deep ball from Richardson for an easy touchdown.
This time, as if he were keeping a promise, he looked at the same group of media members and shouted, 'I told you!'
Mitchell was arguably the Colts' best offensive player Tuesday, as his breakout training camp continues. He freed himself on a variety of short, intermediate and long routes, and the Ravens were completely unable to slow him down. Mitchell's best play came on about a 40-yard reception down the right sideline. After beating Wiggins again, Richardson threw the ball to Mitchell's back shoulder, and the receiver flipped his hips at the last second to make a fingertip grab while simultaneously dragging his toes inbound to complete the catch.
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The Colts offense let out an approving roar as Mitchell proudly ran back to the huddle. Ravens fans in attendance simply gasped in awe. After practice, Mitchell downplayed his performance and the chirping between teams, only conceding through a sly smile that, 'yes,' it felt like a real game. The second-year pro credited his teammates, namely left tackle and seven-time Pro Bowler Quenton Nelson, for helping him get in the right mindset to compete.
'Q got up and said some things in front of the team that really stuck with us,' Mitchell said. 'He was talking about bringing the energy and hyping up your teammates and stuff. So, kind of ever since then, that's all we've been trying to do is just bring the juice up and make plays.'
Aside from the QBs, Steichen didn't disclose which potential starters will play in Thursday's preseason opener. If Mitchell has any say, he plans to suit up and keep building on his promising training camp.
'I always want to go out there and play with my dogs, fight for my dogs, man,' Mitchell said. 'I know they would do the same if they were me.'
Mic drop. pic.twitter.com/M4ri5tzrIC
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 5, 2025
As Colts linebacker Segun Olubi and rookie safety Hunter Wohler stood on the sideline, Olubi leaned over to his new teammate. Olubi had seen the future, and he wanted Wohler to see it, too.
'You're gonna pick off Lamar (Jackson),' Olubi told Wohler.
An incredulous look crept over Wohler's face as he dismissed Olubi's prediction.
'He's not gonna be in when I'm in there. I'm with the (second-stringers),' Wohler said. 'And then, yeah, it ended up happening.'
Wohler intercepted Jackson on the All-Pro QB's final throw in 11-on-11 work. The two-time league MVP felt pressure from the Indy's defensive line, so he rolled to his right to extend the play and lofted a pass across the middle of the field. Wohler read it the whole way and easily picked it off. The Colts sideline erupted in cheers, and Olubi was one of the first people to celebrate with Wohler, simply screaming 'Manifest!'
Two picks got Hunted. 👀 pic.twitter.com/asGC2ULwNW
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 5, 2025
Steichen said Wohler got so excited about intercepting Jackson that he actually kept the ball. The seventh-round pick, who has made a strong case to make the Colts' final 53-man roster, added one more feather to his cap by intercepting one of the Ravens' backup QBs to close out practice. Free safety Cam Bynum, who has snagged eight interceptions through the first four years of his career, said he was thoroughly impressed with Wohler's instincts and impact Tuesday.
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'As a DB, that's the main thing … to take the ball away,' Bynum said. 'If you can't do that, then it's hard to stay in this league, so kudos to him for being able to come out here and get a pick on Lamar Jackson.'
Rookie cornerback Justin Walley, who's contending for a starting job, left Tuesday's practice with a knee injury. Fellow cornerbacks JuJu Brent and Jaylon Jones remained sidelined due to hamstring injuries, and linebacker Zaire Franklin did not practice as he continues rehabbing from left ankle surgery.