Jets Country

Max Mitchell Oozing Confidence Ahead of NFL Debut, Starting in Week 1

Mitchell will start at right tackle on Sunday for the Jets, replacing an injured Duane Brown up front.

Max Goodman

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Due to two separate injuries, the Jets will dip into their depth on the offensive line on Sunday in Week 1, giving rookie Max Mitchell the start at right tackle.

Mitchell, 22, was New York's fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, a product of Louisiana. He'll replace an injured Duane Brown (who was meant to fill in for Mekhi Becton after his season-ending knee injury). With Mitchell slotting in on the right side, George Fant will slide back over to left tackle on Sunday. 

Asking Mitchell to make a spot start at the beginning of the season like this, with no prior NFL experience, is a tall order. Mitchell was dripping with confidence when he spoke to reporters on Friday, though. He's not only excited to get after it, but he feels ready to help his team win.

"I'm ready for it," he told reporters, calling it an amazing opportunity. "I've been taking reps with the ones. Nothing new to me. It's going to be awesome, I'm excited and it's nothing I'm not prepared for. Ready to go."

Asked why he feels so ready, considering he's never lined up for an NFL snap before, Mitchell singled out his perseverance, his tenacity and hard work over the years, in addition to some of the coaches he's had along the way.

"It's definitely a challenge, but I'm prepared for it, I've been taking reps off these guys all camp long," he said. "First after Mekhi's injury, I stepped in there and me personally, I expect myself to be ready to go out there and play. If I'm not ready enough to play, I shouldn't be out here. Just carry myself like that and the coaches have put me in a great position as well. They've given me reps at both left and right [tackle], I know the offense way better than I did two weeks ago."

Jets head coach Robert Saleh reiterated on Friday that he has faith in Mitchell to get the job done up front as well. 

"Max is much further along than we thought he’d be at this point," Saleh said. "So we’re very confident that he’ll be able to step in and do his job."

One of the first defenders that Mitchell will face in the NFL is Calais Campbell, a 14-year veteran and six-time Pro-Bowl pass rusher with 93.5 career sacks. Again, flexing his confidence, Mitchell didn't flinch at the prospect of going toe to toe a perennial Pro Bowler.

"Dude's big, long, strong, fast. Just a freak athlete, but nothing we can't handle. Nothing that I haven't seen on the field before. Obviously he's a renowned guy, but he's just another dude."

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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