Colts News On WR Michael Pittman Jr.

The 2024 free agent class could include a lot of promising wideouts, including Michael Pittman Jr.

A new contract for the Colts’ top pass catcher is a priority for the team, but his statements on his status imply he would be interested in at least exploring his options outside of Indianapolis, which is complicated by the possibility of his sticking in Indianapolis for at least one more season.

Pittman has been a model of consistency for a Colts offense that has failed to find a long-term answer at quarterback. The former second-round pick has accumulated at least 925 yards in each of the last three seasons, including a career-high in 2023. Pittman finished fifth in the NFL with 109 receptions for 1,052 yards and four touchdowns. He continued to be the focal point of the team’s passing attack, drawing double-digit targets nine times this season.

These numbers have boosted the 26-year-old’s market value as he prepares for his first professional trip to free agency. Pittman might be in line to join a slew of other high-profile receivers who have reaped the benefits of the position’s rapid growth in value over the last two years.

A multi-year contract with the Colts or another interested team, or the $21.66MM franchise tag, will net him a large paycheck. The USC alum is fully aware that his services may have a market outside of Indianapolis.

“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,” Pittman said, according to Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star.”I believe we’d like to get a sense of what’s out there.” We agreed to wait until the season was over before we made any decisions.”

Now that the Colts’ season is over, it will be interesting to see how far negotiations on a new contract have progressed. Given the NFL’s offseason schedule, Pittman’s suggestion about considering other options is noteworthy. The deadline for teams to apply for the one-year franchise tag is March 5, just before the start of the new league year (and hence free agency).

Any team would thus be able to acquire Pittman – or any other tag recipient – only through a trade conditional on having an extension in place when he arrived. Players are often opposed to playing on the tag, but Pittman added that he “wouldn’t say necessarily no” to playing out the 2024 season with free agency approaching yet again.

When asked about Pittman, general manager Chris Ballard stated that the Colts are willing to utilize the franchise tag if long-term negotiations fail.

Pittman is an obvious candidate for a long-term contract with running back Jonathan Taylor (who landed a new deal after his public trade request this summer) and first-round quarterback Anthony Richardson, but such a move will not become official (if necessary) until next month at the earliest. Ballard expressed his willingness to reach a deal that will keep that three together.

“I care deeply about him,” Pittman added in a separate Atkins essay.”We have a great relationship.” It’s a genuine one…The guy is a fighter. He’s a rough guy. He is concerned. He is determined to win. We’ll work hard to get him back… Pitt is a good football player for us, and we hope he stays a Colt.”

Players that acquire a franchise tag can continue negotiating a contract until mid-July. The status of talks with Pittman will be keenly monitored, especially if the tag is required and/or a tag-and-trade market forms.