WESTFIELD, Ind. — When Reggie Wayne jogs out to the practice fields at Grand Park, the crowd still cheers for him as if he’s preparing to line up and catch a touchdown pass from current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. The 45-year-old is the definition of a living legend in Indianapolis, the kind of player who elicits nothing but praise from fans who remember him in his prime and the youngsters who’ve been reintroduced to his greatness.
A lot has changed since Wayne played in his last NFL game in 2015 and a lot hasn’t. The potential Hall of Fame receiver has transitioned to the sidelines, now entering his third year as the Colts’ wide receivers coach, yet his standards remain extremely high.
Wayne knows firsthand what it takes to produce and win. Here’s what he had to say about the core four in his position group and what it’ll take for them to do the same.
Pittman is the Colts’ undisputed WR1. He’s coming off a noteworthy 2023 campaign in which he totaled 109 catches for 1,152 yards (both career highs) and four TDs. He became the fourth Colts player to reach 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season and the first since Wayne in 2012. Pittman was rewarded with a three-year, $70 million contract extension that makes him the second-highest-paid receiver annually in the AFC South.
Now that he’s been paid like a star, Pittman said he’s looking to gain league-wide respect as one of the best players at his position. However, Wayne believes that respect must first be earned in-house by being named a team captain ahead of his fifth NFL season.
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“We know you can play. We know you can ball. Let’s elevate our game to a whole different stratosphere,” Wayne said. “Let’s get a ‘C’ on our chest. … I ain’t never seen someone making $25 million and they ain’t even captain. They gotta figure that out. How does that work?”
In fairness to Pittman, he’s only making $23.3 million annually on his new deal, which Wayne acknowledged via social media, jokingly adding that he rounded up. But Wayne’s overall point still stands. Pittman is arguably the Colts’ best offensive player, and Wayne wants the 26-year-old to be an even better leader while, of course, keeping that fiery edge that sets him apart. Through six training camp practices, Pittman’s been involved in one fight and another dustup.
“If we stuck in the alley and we about to get jumped, we all know that Pitt is one of those dudes that we want with us,” Wayne said. “He’s gonna find a way to get it done.”
#Colts’ Reggie Wayne on Michael Pittman Jr.:
“I ain’t never seen somebody making $25 million and they ain’t even captain, so we gotta figure that out.” 😂
“If we stuck in the alley and we about to get jumped, we all know that Pitt is one of those dudes that we want with us.” pic.twitter.com/Il4ETnaWLo
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 29, 2024
Downs had a stellar rookie season in which he registered 68 catches — the most by a rookie in franchise history — for 771 yards and two touchdowns. He’s looked even better throughout his second training camp, going toe-to-toe against veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II in the slot and winning a few reps. But Wayne isn’t satisfied. He’s challenged Downs to continue diversifying his skill set.
“He had a damn good year last year,” Wayne said. “So, now it’s like, ‘OK, let’s add something to our repertoire.’ Now, I’m about to treat you like you’re gonna play on the outside. Let’s figure something else out, so we can dial up something different.”
Wayne added that he wants to see Downs become a “full receiver,” and the early signs from camp suggest his message hasn’t fallen on deaf ears. Downs ranks second behind Pittman (10) with nine catches from Richardson through the first six practices, and a few have come when he’s lined up outside.
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Pierce has had a few big moments as a Colt, most notably a 32-yard game-winning TD catch as a rookie. But through the first two years of his career, the jury is still out on whether he can be a consistent playmaker in the NFL. If Richardson, who played just four games last year before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury, can stay healthy this season, perhaps the Colts will finally get a clear answer. However, that didn’t stop the team from bringing in a player who could potentially supplant Pierce as Indy’s third starting receiver.
The Colts drafted Adonai Mitchell in the second round, and his skill set as a deep threat overlaps more with Pierce than any other receiver in the room. Wayne knows Pierce can’t ignore the addition of Mitchell, and he’s eager to see how Pierce responds.
“The excitement that I’m feeling for Alec right now in this camp is like no other because, honestly, Alec ain’t never really had to compete,” Wayne said. “When he got here, he was kind of given the third receiver chair, and then last year he was given the second receiver chair. Now, you got somebody pushing him.”
Pierce has 73 catches for 1,107 yards and four touchdowns in 33 NFL games. He has just one 100-yard receiving game, though Wayne is confident Pierce has more to unlock in Year 3.
“The guy has really never really hit his stride,” Wayne said. “I think this is his time.”
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Mitchell has tapered off since his hot start during spring practice, but he’s definitely flashed his potential throughout training camp. The rookie may have had his best showing Friday when he hauled in a 20-yard catch down the sideline from Richardson in an 11-on-11 period, and he followed that up with a TD reception from backup QB Joe Flacco in a red zone period.
Wayne said that he starts from scratch with his receivers each year, forcing himself to reevaluate them with fresh eyes. That mindset was easier to have with Mitchell because Wayne has never worked with him before, and so far, he likes what he sees from the ultra-confident 21-year-old.
“He’s still got some ways to go, but as you’ve seen … given the opportunity, he can make plays,” Wayne said. “That’s one thing that’s not new to him. If you watch his college film, he continues to make plays.”
#Colts WR coach Reggie Wayne on rookie AD Mitchell:
“I definitely gotta start (from) scratch with him. But I tell you what, man, the guy is smart. He loves to compete. He’s an alpha. … I need all the dogs I can get.” pic.twitter.com/sulB4O1iGt
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 29, 2024
Mitchell played in five College Football Playoff games combined at Georgia and Texas, and he caught a touchdown in every one. Last year, he had 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Longhorns, and his 81.8 percent first down/touchdown rate on receptions ranked No. 1 among receivers in the 2024 draft class. Wayne thinks Mitchell has the tools to be an impactful wideout during his rookie year, and he’s thrilled to help him put it all together.
“The guy is smart. He loves to compete. He’s an alpha,” Wayne said. “I need all the dogs I can get.”
(Photo of Reggie Wayne: Zach Bolinger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)