ESPN Reveals Colts' Biggest Offseason Priority
Oh what a difference a year makes for the Indianapolis Colts. This time last year the Colts were thinking about Jeff Saturday, head coaches, and franchise quarterbacks.
Fast forward a year, and the Colts look to have hit on the two biggest pieces of the NFL puzzle with head coach Shane Steichen and quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Instead of asking how long will it take for the Colts to be contenders again, the question this offseason will be how high the Colts can fly in 2024.
That's not to say the Indianapolis Colts have everything figured out for next season, but the big questions, the big priorities are much easier to solve than hitting on a first-time head coach and rookie quarterback.
ESPN thinks, and many Colts fans would agree, the biggest offseason priority is locking up wide receiver Michael Pittman to a long-term deal.
"The Colts have to re-sign receiver Michael Pittman Jr.," wrote Stephen Holder on ESPN+. "Locking up Pittman is critical, given how essential he has become to their offensive success. He is the single biggest offensive focal point for Indianapolis, as he was targeted on 28.2% of the pass attempts this season (11th-highest in the NFL), and he caught 109 passes for 1,152 yards. The lack of consistent threats behind Pittman makes retaining him urgent, but it won't come cheap. Look for him to sign the biggest wide receiver contract in franchise history."
The Colts have the option to place a franchise tag on Pittman, and unlike a lot of players, including Jonathan Taylor last year, he's not against playing under the tag.
To be fair to Taylor, a running back's career is considerably shorter than a receiver's, and the franchise tag is worth about half as much.
"I mean, the franchise tag, I don't think anybody'd be displeased with $23 million," Pittman told reporters last week. "I don't really even know. The franchise tag, it's almost like a tag of respect because you get paid in the top five of your position. But do I necessarily want to play on one? I wouldn't say necessarily. No, I do not want to play on one, but you can use that to work towards a long-term deal as well."
The Colts have also been linked several times to getting Richardson and Pittman help in the passing game. ESPN's Jordan Reid had the Colts choosing Georgia Bulldogs playmaker Brock Bowers in his latest mock draft.
Yahoo's Nate Tice had the Colts selecting Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman in his latest mock draft.
Rookie wide receiver Josh Downs had an excellent year with the Colts. He finished second on the team with 771 yards.
Re-signing Pittman and continuing to build around Richardson makes a lot of sense. Knowing he'd be content with the franchise tag, knowing the Colts typically take care of their own, it's hard to picture Pittman in anything other than a Colts uniform next year.
