AFC South rival rated best fit for Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr

With the franchise tag at their disposal, WR Michael Pittman Jr. appears unlikely to play anywhere other than the Indianapolis Colts in 2024.

But the possibility remains, and on February 21, CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell offered a nightmare scenario for the Colts.

Podell named the Houston Texans as one of Pittman’s greatest free-agent options.

“Michael Pittman Jr. picked a great time to have his first 100-catch season in 2023 just before becoming a free agent,” Podell said in a statement. “His 109 catches were the fifth most in the NFL last season and tied for the fourth most in a single season in Colts history, the most by an Indianapolis player since Reggie Wayne’s 111 in 2010.

“The big-bodied target (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) is vital to the Colts’ quarterback Anthony Richardson’s growth. However, if he is not franchised and enters the open market, he will have plenty of suitors.

“The division-rival Houston Texans could use a strong third receiver to go along with Nico Collins and Tank Dell, and they enter the offseason with over $50 million in cap space.”

This offseason, Spotrac estimated Pittman’s value on the open market to be $90.8 million for a four-year contract. Pittman would earn an average of $22.7 million per year under such a contract.

Pittman joining the 2023 AFC South champions is the worst-case situation.

However, the Colts have the option of placing the franchise tag on Pittman. If Indianapolis did that, Pittman would receive $20.7 million on a one-year contract.

The receiver and team would then have until the middle of July to negotiate a long-term contract that extends until 2024.

The time for NFL teams to apply franchise tags on players officially opened this week. There is no word yet on whether the Colts will do so with Pittman, but general manager Chris Ballard has already mentioned the potential.

“I don’t want to use (the franchise tag), but it’s a tool,” Ballard explained in January. “If we have to use it, we will.”

Pittman recorded a career-high 109 receptions, 1,152 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in 2023. He has 336 receptions, 3,662 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 62 NFL games.

Podell also said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the “best fit” for Pittman.

It was ironic. On February 20, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin linked the Colts to Buccaneers free agent wide receiver Mike Evans.