Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
Michael Pittman Jr. will be a Colt in 2024.
That’s what general manager Chris Ballard told Indianapolis media in a scrum Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, minutes after his podium session.
Whether that’s via the franchise tag or an extension remains to be seen. But Ballard said definitely that the receiver isn’t going anywhere. And for a general manager who rarely makes absolute statements, that’s notable.
The Colts have until Tuesday to franchise-tag Pittman, who has been their leading receiver the past three seasons (he had a career-high 109 receptions for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns in 2023). Tagging him would allow the sides to continue negotiating on a long-term deal until mid-July. After that deadline, the sides would have to wait until after the 2024 season to continue doing so.
“Here’s what I’ll tell you: We’ve had talks with his agent, who is really good,” Ballard said Wednesday when asked about the franchise tag. “We’ll work hard to get a deal done. It’s a tool we have. I’m not going to say we’re not going to use it, but I’m not going to say we are. Hopefully, we can come to an agreement and find some compromise on a deal.”
With Pittman expected to be a Colt for at least one more season, what does that mean for the team’s roster-building approach this offseason?
Nothing should change in the fact that Indianapolis needs wide-receiver reinforcements. It’s less dire with Pittman — a No. 1 option — in the fold, sure. But it’s a need nonetheless.
In 2023, the position depended entirely on the availability of Pittman, promising slot receiver Josh Downs and deep-threat Alec Pierce, all of whom played at least 788 snaps. No other Colts wide receiver played more than 124.
The Colts figure to need at least two more contributing wide receivers. One would back up Downs out of the slot (Isaiah McKenzie, who was suspended the final three games last season for…
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Publish date : 2024-02-29 22:39:03
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