What happened: The comments came hours after Mitchell said she has not thought much about her post-2026 decision. Cox also tied Mitchell's standing to the connection she has built with the fan base and the wider organization.

Why it matters: That matters because Mitchell's contract outlook is one of the franchise's biggest looming offseason questions even with the postseason still active. A firm endorsement from the front office adds weight to any eventual retention push once free-agency decisions move from rhetoric to terms.

What to watch: The next marker is whether Mitchell's stance changes as the postseason winds down. Any contract movement would turn this organizational backing into a concrete roster decision.