Colts’ Reggie Wayne Was Once a Great WR: Here’s What He’s Said About Those He Coaches
WESTFIELD, Ind. — When Reggie Wayne jogs onto the practice fields at Grand Park, the crowd still cheers 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 draws nothing but praise from fans who remember him in his prime and the youngsters who are rediscovering his greatness.
A lot has changed since Wayne played his last NFL game in 2015, and a lot hasn’t. The potential Hall of Fame receiver has stepped to the sidelines in his third year as the Colts’ wide receivers coach, but his standards remain remarkably high.
Wayne knows firsthand what it takes to perform and win. Here’s what he had to say about the core four in his position group and what it takes to do the same.
Pittman is the Colts’ undisputed WR1. He’s coming off a remarkable 2023 season in which he totaled 109 catches for 1,152 yards (both personal bests) 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, making him the second-highest-paid annual receiver in the AFC South.
Now that he’s been paid like a star, Pittman said he’s aiming to earn the respect of the entire league as one of the best players at his position. However, Wayne believes that respect must first be earned internally 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 take our game to a whole other stratosphere,” Wayne said. “Let’s get a ‘C’ on our chest. … I’ve never seen someone make $25 million and they’re not even captain. They’re on their own. How does that work?”
To be fair, Pittman is only making $23.3 million per year on his new deal, which Wayne acknowledged on social media, jokingly adding that he had completed. But Wayne’s overall point stands. Pittman is arguably the Colts’ best offensive player, and Wayne wants the 26-year-old to become an even better leader while maintaining that fiery edge that sets him apart. Through six training camps, Pittman has been involved in one fight and another altercation.
“If we’re stuck in the alley and we get mugged, we all know Pitt is one of those guys we want around,” Wayne said. “He’ll find a way to get it done.”
#Foals‘Reggie Wayne on Michael Pittman Jr.:
“I’ve never seen someone make $25 million and not even be the captain, so we’ll have to find out.” 😂
“If we’re stuck in an alley and we’re about to get mugged, we all know Pitt is one of those guys we want with us.” photo.twitter.com/Il4ETnaWLo
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 29, 2024
Downs had a stellar rookie season, recording 68 catches — the most by a rookie in franchise history — for 771 yards and two touchdowns. He looked even better in his second training camp, when he matched up against veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II in the slot and won a pair of reps. But Wayne isn’t satisfied. He’s challenging Downs to continue diversifying his skill set.
“He had a damn good year last year,” Wayne said. “So now it’s like, ‘Okay, let’s add something to our repertoire.’ Now I’m going to treat you like you’re going to play outside. Let’s figure out something else, so we can figure out something else.”
Wayne added that he wants Downs to become a “full receiver,” and early signs out of camp suggest his message hasn’t fallen on deaf ears. Downs is second only to Pittman (10) with nine catches over Richardson through the first six practices, with a couple of those coming when he was lined up on the outside.
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Pierce has had some big moments as a Colt, most notably a game-winning 32-yard TD catch as a rookie. But through the first two years of his career, it’s still unclear whether he can be a consistent playmaker in the NFL. If Richardson, who played just four games last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, can stay healthy this season, the Colts might finally have a clear answer. That hasn’t stopped the team from bringing in a player who could potentially replace Pierce as Indy’s third starting receiver, though.
The Colts drafted Adonai Mitchell in the second round, and his skills as a deep threat overlap 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 have for Alec in this camp right now is unmatched because honestly, Alec has never really had to compete,” Wayne said. “When he came here, he was kind of the third receiver, and last year he was the second receiver. Now you have someone 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 can unlock more in Year 3.
“The guy has never really found his groove,” Wayne said. “I think this is his time.”
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Mitchell has faded since his hot start in spring training, but he’s certainly flashed his potential during training camp. The rookie may have had his best performance on Friday when he hauled in a 20-yard catch along the sideline from Richardson in 11-on-11 time, and he followed that up with a TD reception from backup QB Joe Flacco in red zone time.
Wayne said he starts over with his receivers every year, forcing himself to evaluate them with a fresh perspective. That mindset was easier to have with Mitchell, since Wayne has never worked with him before, and so far he likes what he sees from the ultra-confident 21-year-old.
“He’s got a ways to go, but as you’ve seen … when he’s given the opportunity, he can make plays,” Wayne said. “That’s something that’s not new to him. If you watch his college film, he continues to make plays.”
#Foals WR coach Reggie Wayne on rookie AD Mitchell:
“I’m definitely going to have to start over with him. But I’ll tell you, man, the guy is smart. He loves to compete. He’s an alpha. … I need all the dogs I can get.” photo.twitter.com/sulB4O1iGt
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 29, 2024
Mitchell played in five College Football Playoff games total with Georgia and Texas, catching a touchdown in each. He had 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns last year for the Longhorns, and his 81.8 percent first down/touchdown percentage on receptions was No. 1 among receivers in the 2024 draft class. Wayne thinks Mitchell has the tools to be an impactful wideout in his rookie year, and he’s excited to help him put it all together.
“That guy is smart. He likes 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)
