Colts Re-Sign Michael Pittman Jr. to Long-Term Extension
Coming into the 2024 offseason, the main priority for the Indianapolis Colts was keeping star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a Colts uniform.
Mission accomplished.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Colts and Pittman have agreed on a three-year, $70 million extension – that can reach $71.5 million with incentives – with $46 million guaranteed. The deal makes Pittman the eighth-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL in terms of average annual value and keeps him in Indy through the 2026 season. The deal also takes Pittman off of the franchise tag, a designation the Colts' placed on him at the beginning of March.
Pittman just finished his fourth season in Indianapolis and was set to hit the free-agent market this spring. The 2020 second-round pick has established himself as the top receiving threat for a Colts team that seems to be heading in the right direction. In four seasons, Pittman has amassed 336 catches for 3,662 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Pittman wanted to cash in after his best season as a pro, and rightfully so. The WR1 hauled in a career-high 109 catches for 1,152 yards, another career-high, and four touchdowns. Pittman became the fourth player in Colts' history to have over 100 catches in a season, joining Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark.
Since being drafted, Pittman has continued to improve every season. This fact is even more impressive when you consider the inconsistencies at quarterback Pittman has dealt with. He has caught passes from seven different quarterbacks in just four years.
The hope for the Colts is Pittman will no longer have to endure the quarterback carousel that has burdened this franchise the past few seasons. Anthony Richardson is working his way back from shoulder surgery and expects to be ready for offseason workouts. Retaining Richardson's best weapon is a major plus as the Colts attempt to surround the young quarterback with explosive talent.
“He’s a dog," Richardson explained about Pittman. "Getting the ball in his hands you see what he can do. He’s a physical receiver. He can catch, he can block, he can do it all. He’s smart. I appreciate him. He’s also a leader. He pushed me to be better every single day even when I wasn’t out there playing. Being in the rehab on time and just making sure I was working.
"He’s a dog for sure. Just getting the ball in his hands it definitely takes a load off of me just letting our weapons get the ball and do what they do. I’m definitely appreciative of him.”
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"When you have a reliable player like Pitt that is going to show up every Sunday and make plays like he does, it definitely helps a young quarterback," head coach Shane Steichen elaborated. "To keep getting that chemistry with those two guys, building, will be huge for Anthony’s growth.”
Pittman is well deserving of the extension. The Colts have long admired the wide receiver's ability and worth to the franchise. He is a pillar of the offense with Richardson and Jonathan Taylor. General manager Chris Ballard detailed what Pittman means to him at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"We have an interesting relationship, and one that is really good, but it is no doubt honest," Ballard explained. "Blunt honest, which I like. ... I mean look, he cares about winning. He wants to win. And when you're a good player, part of that is you want the football. Like, I don't know if I want to be around a guy that doesn't want the ball.
He continued, "That's okay, and it's okay to show your personality, and it's okay to demand it. There's a way to do it, a right way to do it, But it's one of the things I appreciate about Pitt. The one thing you never have to worry about with that guy is he empties the tank. He absolutely empties the tank."
The Colts organization holds a great affinity for Pittman and what he means to the franchise on and off the field. With Pittman now tied to the franchise long-term, Indy now switches their focus to bulking up the rest of the roster for 2024 and beyond.
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