Quinyon Mitchell reflects on a roller-coaster performance in loss to 49ers

Quinyon Mitchell reflects on a roller-coaster performance in loss to 49ers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It was kind of shocking to see. Quinyon Mitchell, who we’ve come to think of as Superman, getting torched on the 49ers’ first offensive series Sunday.

Mitchell, one day after being name 1st-team all-pro, had the worst start of his two-year NFL career Sunday, allowing a 61-yard completion to unheralded journeyman Demarcus Robinson on the 49ers’ second play from scrimmage and then giving up an 11-yarder to Christian McCaffrey and a TD to Robinson, all on the 49ers’ first series.

The 61-yarder was the longest pass Mitchell has ever allowed, and the touchdown was only the second he’s allowed this year, the first since Tyquan Thornton of the Chiefs caught a 49-yarder against Q in Week 2 in the Eagles’ win at Arrowhead.

“That also happened to me in college,” Mitchell said Monday on locker clean-out day. “On the first play, I got beat on a double move and it’s just how you respond, you know?”

The college game Mitchell was referring to was San Jose State at Toledo early in the 2023 season. Toledo ended up winning, but on San Jose State’s first offensive play, Chevan Cordeiro completed a 39-yard pass to current Washington Commander Nick Nash, who beat Mitchell on a similar double move.

“Got beat first play, slant-and-go for like 50 yards, and came back and had like four or five PBUs,” Mitchell said. “So I’ve been in that situation before. I’m not going to back down. The defense needs me and the team needs me, so I’m just going to step up to the plate.

“Part of life is just everything’s not going to go your way, so you’ve got to get up and respond. You have to move on, whether it’s a good play or a bad play.” 

Mitchell responded in the best way possible, by picking off two Brock Purdy passes in the second half. That made him the first Eagle with two INTs in a postseason game since Damon Moore picked off two Brad Johnson passes in the Eagles’ 31-9 wild-card win over the Bucs at the Vet in 2001.

Those two picks also gave him four career postseason interceptions, 2nd-most in Eagles history behind only Herm Edwards, who had five from 1978 through 1981.

How can you have four postseason interceptions and none in the regular season?

“I get them when they matter the most,” he said with a hint of a smile.

Mitchell is the only player in NFL history with four postseason interceptions and none in the regular season. The only player ever with more INTs in his first two seasons is Vernon Perry, the Oilers’ safety, who had six in 1979 and 1980.

“It means a lot, man,” he said. “Just, I want to get some in the regular season. But, yeah, it means a lot.”

Mitchell allowed quarterbacks to complete just 44.3 percent of their passes during the regular season, 4th-lowest among 124 corners who defended at least 20 targets. 

He and Cooper DeJean became only the second pair of cornerback teammates to both earn 1st-team all-pro. The other was Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey with the Ravens in 2019.

“Just (a reflection of) all the time and hard work we spent together,” he said. “So it just means a lot.”

What’s next for this elite duo?

“Just reflect and get better,” Mitchell said. “Just watching film and correcting mistakes and just getting better.”

Like everyone else in the locker room Monday Mitchell was crushed about the playoff loss but eager to get back to the grind to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“Probably sleeping, get my body back together,” he said. “And then just get back to work.”

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