Indianapolis Colts have decided to submit the non-exclusive franchise tag to Michael Pittman Jr

The Indianapolis Colts have taken an important step by placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on starting receiver Michael Pittman Jr., as revealed on Tuesday.

This move was done soon before the league’s deadline and is consistent with general manager Chris Ballard’s recent assurance that Pittman will remain with the team for the upcoming season. Since the end of last season, the two sides have been in discussions about extending their contracts.

Ballard’s commitment to keeping Pittman matches the mood within the Colts organization, with coach Shane Steichen underlining the importance of having a solid player on the roster.

Steichen praised Pittman’s steady performance on game day and its favorable impact on the development of young quarterback Anthony Richardson.

With the franchise tag in place, Pittman can consider offers from other teams on the free-agent market. However, if he comes to an agreement elsewhere, the Colts have the ability to match it.

If they decline to match, Pittman’s new team will give them two first-round draft picks.

Pittman, picked by the Colts in the second round of the 2020 draft, has developed as a crucial contributor, starting 56 of 62 games. His amazing career stats include 336 receptions for 3,662 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Notably, he became only the fourth Colts player in history to reach 100 catches in a single season, with 109 catches for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. Pittman’s hard playing style and dependability as a receiver have stayed similar, despite changing starting quarterbacks each season.