James Mitchell could only watch.
The former Union High School and Virginia Tech standout spent the 2024 NFL season as a member of the practice squad for the Detroit Lions.
All the Lions did this season was win a franchise-best 15 games, but were upset by the Washington Commanders in the division round of the NFL playoffs.
“It was a tough one to be there, just knowing how hard the guys worked,” said Mitchell, who was a fifth round selection out of Virginia Tech by the Lions in 2022. “That was definitely a tough one, but the Commanders are a good team as well so it was a good game.”
Much has happened since then, with Mitchell having signed as a free agent last week with the Carolina Panthers after his three seasons with the Lions came to an end.
“I am excited for a new opportunity just to go out there and compete and try to make the team in August,” said Mitchell, who attended the Wise County Central at Gate City basketball games on Saturday night. “I will be closer to home, closer to my family and everybody in Southwest Virginia so I am excited for that.”
Mitchell saw action in 29 games in Detroit as a tight end, catching 11 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown as a rookie in 2022 and snagged two catches for 28 yards in 2023.
He spent this year on the practice squad, which meant not playing in games, but did work with the team and was ready if needed.
“It a long season and you go through the preseason and training camp,” Mitchell said. “We are going from July to whenever, February, so it is long, but you have just got to do the job of taking care of your body in midst of all that.”
The 25-year-old Mitchell, known affectionately as “The Governor” in his hometown of Big Stone Gap, was part of a significant turnaround in the “Motor City” as the Lions finished 9-8 in his rookie season, followed by 12 wins in 2023 and this year’s 15-2 regular season mark, the first time the franchise founded in 1930 has had consecutive double-digit win seasons. Detroit, which has never been to a Super Bowl, last won an NFL championship in 1957.
“Actually my first year there was kind of the year they started turning it around,” said Mitchell, whose Lions were 3-13-1 the previous season under first year head coach Dan Campbell. “It was cool, it was cool to see how the city reacted to it and to be part of a new era there.”
Three NFL seasons have gone by fast for Mitchell, who led the Union Bears to the 2017 Class 2 state semifinals while earning offensive player of the year honors. He was a four-time all-state performer on the gridiron and a two-time all-conference honoree on the basketball court.
“It has been a mix of emotions,” said Mitchell, who attempted and missed the $1,000 halfcourt shot at halftime of the boys game on Saturday at Gate City. “It has definitely went by fast at times. It is long days and short weeks so the season goes by fast, but it has been awesome. I enjoyed my time there, made a lot of new friends so I loved it.”
Mitchell played four seasons at tight end for Virginia Tech, catching 50 passes for seven touchdowns and ran for five more scores before leaving Blacksburg after the 2021 season to chase his NFL dreams.
“There are so many high school players that only play in college and there are so many college players that never play in the NFL,” Mitchell said. “It is a cut-throat business and you have got to be the best of the best to make it. I am fortunate to still be in the league.”
Mitchell has proven he belongs and looking forward toward his fourth season in the most popular sports league in the nation.
“For sure. Obviously, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, but you work for that opportunity,” said Mitchell, who is excited for what lies ahead with the Panthers, who are in the midst of rebuilding into a playoff team.
“It is early right now,” he said. “The season just ended so we will see how it looks coming into the spring, but just go out there and compete.”
Mitchell wasn’t cheering for anyone during Championship Sunday, especially when the Commanders played the Eagles for the NFC title. Ditto for the AFC title tilt between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
“I honestly don’t care, to be completely honest with you. They [Commanders] are a good team, but so is Philly,” said Mitchell, with a laugh. “All four teams that are left, they are there for a reason. Everybody is good at this point.”