Pete Mitchell will try to turn the clock back this season, to a time when he was one of Mark Brunell's favorite targets. Mitchell signed a one-year "beneficial salary program" contract that will pay him a minimum-wage $650,000, though he will count only $450,000 against the Jaguars' salary cap. There was no signing bonus.
Mitchell made 166 pass receptions for 1,845 yards and nine touchdowns in his four seasons as the Jaguars' starting tight end. He still ranks as the team's third-leading career pass-catcher, behind Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. Mitchell played in every game in the Jaguars' first four seasons, starting 40 games.
After leaving in free agency in 1999, Mitchell enjoyed a career-best, 58-catch year with the Giants, but slumped to 25 receptions in 2000 and played in just five games with the Lions last year. He was released by the Lions on Nov. 14.
