One Move Colts Must Make According to NFL.com
30 of the NFL's teams are fully into their offseason plans with the Super Bowl commencing the 2023 season on Sunday. That includes the Indianapolis Colts who surprised the rest of their league with their 9-8 record in head coach Shane Steichen's rookie season.
NFL.com released a column this week including a must-make move for all-30 teams not named Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers. What they chose for the Colts will come as no surprise to fans paying attention to contracts.
"Tag or extend Michael Pittman Jr.," wrote Kevin Patra on NFL.com. "Now is not the time for the Colts to get cute with their offense. Pittman proved he's a difference-making talent in 2023, setting career highs in catches (109) and receiving yards (1,152) with four TDs in 16 games.
"His ability to get open off the snap meshes perfectly with coach Shane Steichen's offense, and he rarely drops the ball when it's in his vicinity. I wouldn't be shocked if the Colts end up tagging Pittman early as a placeholder for an extension. He's a vital piece that Indy should cultivate alongside Anthony Richardson, not seek to replace."
Bringing Pittman back feels more like a when, not if, proposition. While Pittman has said he'd explore all options, he's also said he's not adverse to playing 2024 on the franchise tag for the Colts.
"I mean, the franchise tag, I don't think anybody'd be displeased with $23 million," Pittman said in January. "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."
If the Colts don't work out an extension before free agency opens next month, expect Pittman to get the franchise tag. While it's more time to work towards a long-term deal, it's also a year of control that the Colts could use to barter a trade if a deal can't be worked out for some reason.
The Colts have a long history of taking care of their own players, including Jonathan Taylor last year. Taylor's contract negotiations played out a little too publicly for the liking of both parties, but Pittman's should be simpler in 2024.
