Colts' Michael Pittman Jr. Will 'Explore Every Option' for Future
One of the biggest offseason storylines for the Indianapolis Colts will be what transpires between the team and their top wide receiver, Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman just finished his fourth season in Indianapolis and is 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. As players were in the building to clean out their lockers before the offseason, Pittman stepped to the podium to discuss his future.
“As of right now until March whatever, I’m still a Colt," Pittman said. "But speaking to the contract stuff, I made it this far so – I’ve loved my four years here, but I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence if I didn’t explore every option and find the best fit.”
Every option is still on the table for Pittman and the Colts. The two sides could agree on a long-term extension before free agency begins. The Colts could let Pittman test the free agent waters to gauge his value and risk the chance of him walking. The team could also use the franchise tag on Pittman, something the Colts have not done since 2013.
As he enters free agency, Pittman owes it to himself and his family to evaluate all his options. He is a young, ascending player entering his prime and is sure to command interest on the open market. It has long been thought that the Colts would be smart to lock up their WR1 to a long-term deal before he reaches the market.
But as of right now, the sides have not discussed an extension. Now that the season has ended, those talks are sure to begin. That does not mean, however, that Pittman does not want to see what else is out there before making a final decision.
“I think we want to get a sense of what’s out there before (coming to an agreement,)" Pittman commented. "We kind of had an agreement that we were going to wait until the season ended and kind of feel it out. There really haven’t been any contract negotiations or offers just because we felt like it wasn’t the right time. Whenever the right time is, I don’t know when the right time is – I’ve never done this before.”
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) celebrates his touchdown with teammates in the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Since Pittman has never done this before, he has never been eligible for the franchise tag. The franchise tag allows a team to stop a player from entering free agency by giving them a one-year deal at the average salary of the top five earning players at the position. While the franchise tag provides guaranteed money for the season, it lacks long-term stability.
"I mean, the franchise tag, I don't think anybody'd be displeased with $23 million," Pittman smiled. "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."
While all options are on the table for Pittman, there is no secret how much Pittman means to the Colts, and a very good chance he returns to Indy on a long-term extension. He has been the Colts' WR1 for the past three seasons, leading the team in all receiving categories since 2021. Head coach Shane Steichen spoke about Pittman's importance to the team.
“He was big for us," Steichen admitted. "What he did week in and week out, the numbers he put up, the consistency he played with, the toughness that he played with – I’ve got a ton of respect for him as a football player. He’s meant a lot to this organization and a lot to this city.”
The confidence Steichen and the Colts have in Pittman is not lost on the wide receiver. They trusted that he could be a major part of this offense and help them succeed. For a guy who has worked toward and asked for that role, it meant a lot for the team to believe in Pittman with such conviction.
“I feel like Shane really had confidence in me as a player," Pittman explained. "They just leaned on me at times and that’s pretty much what I’ve wanted my whole career – just to be that guy that’s leaned on and that can carry you through. I had the support of my teammates and team. No one does anything by themselves, it’s a team game and I was just fortunate to have great teammates.”
The Colts have also established an open line of communication with their star wide receiver. Pittman revealed he met with Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard earlier in the season when the offense was struggling and after making comments about his role with the team. The conversation was honest, and the results followed.
"I forget when it was, but I think we had a meeting. It was me, Shane, and Chris," Pittman remembered. "And I went in there, and I just said that I need more targets. I need more passes. And Shane was like, 'Alright,' and then that's pretty much how it went. I think that was around Week 6 or Week 7.
He continued, "And from then on, he kept that promise and I feel like it correlated. I was playing well and we were winning. And, obviously, I'm not winning games because it's a team sport, but I think it definitely helped. I just feel like he gave me that trust and he basically gave me the keys to run this offense and that's something I appreciate, something that I always look forward to and I don't take that lightly."
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) gives his touchdown ball to quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) after scoring his first passing touchdown in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Colts' passing offense ran through Pittman in 2023 and likely will continue to do so if he returns. He finished with a career-high 109 catches for 1152 yards, also a 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.
Another reason Indianapolis may be Pittman's best option is quarterback Anthony Richardson. Richardson and Pittman have developed a good relationship this year despite Richardson missing most of the season with a shoulder injury. Pittman has noticed Richardson's dedication to his craft and his obsession with becoming the best quarterback he can be.
"AR has been around even though he's been hurt," Pittman remarked. "He's been in meetings, he's been rehabbing, working hard, and pretty much just showing me his level of commitment. ... He's just ready to play and he's working hard. I would expect his best ball coming soon, soon as in next year."
With Richardson at the helm for years to come, Pittman could be in line for more years of success and continuity at the quarterback position for the first time in his career. Pittman has had a different starting quarterback every year he has been in Indy. Developing a longstanding chemistry with his signal caller could take Pittman to new heights through his second contract.
Pittman has a big decision to make this offseason, and the Colts should do everything in their power to keep him. He has proven invaluable to this team and a legitimate WR1 in the NFL. His impact on the field and in the locker room cannot be understated, and his teammates hope he stays in Indy for a long time.
Just ask Colts' running back Jonathan Taylor how he feels about Pittman.
"Pitt has meant a lot (to me)," Taylor explained. "We came in together. Every single year he's just proven it. He's proven it every single year. I know timing is a big thing, and being familiar with the quarterback. Every single year he's had a different quarterback under center, and he's been able to prove consistently like, 'Hey, I can be a playmaker for this team. I can be a playmaker in this league.'
"I think everything will work out for Pitt because the toughness he shows, the type of teammate he is. I don't know why you wouldn't want him in your building. I know I would."
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