It’s Franchise Tag Tuesday in the National Football League. Teams have until the end of Tuesday to decide whether or not to franchise-tag players they want to keep around for at least another season. Or, in some cases, set up trades and other negotiations. In the case of the Indianapolis Colts, the team had one simple move in mind: Keep star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. It appears the team is poised to go full speed ahead on that.
The Colts will place the franchise tag on Pittman Jr., assuring that Indianapolis will hold onto him for at least one more season.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the news on Tuesday on X, the popular website formerly known as Twitter.
“Colts officially are placing their franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who had a career-high 109 receptions and 1,152 yards this past season. Pittman has had a different starting quarterback in each of his four years in Indianapolis,” Schefter said.
Colts officially are placing their franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who had a career-high 109 receptions and 1,152 yards this past season. Pittman has had a different starting quarterback in each of his four years with Indianapolis. https://t.co/XUiE8AzT5I
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2024
Pittman’s career-best season came last year, when he caught 109 receptions for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns. He has 3,362 career receiving yards, 336 career receptions, and 15 career receiving touchdowns. The most he’s had in a single season was six in the 2021 NFL season.
Now that Pittman is staying in Indianapolis, the team has several more moves to try and level up in a competitive AFC. For now, the NFL world is buzzing over the Colts’ decision.
https://twitter.com/JCooley317/status/1765130215670370524
Now let’s get a deal done! https://t.co/KYOkEmIYgT
— K March (@notthefakekylem) March 5, 2024
Colts go non-exclusive with the franchise tag.
Under non-exclusive tag, Pittman can negotiate with other teams, and if he gets an offer elsewhere, Indy can either match the deal or get two first-round picks from his new team.
First time Colts have used tag since 2013. https://t.co/5WWkYeFNez
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) March 5, 2024
Smart move by the Colts. They know that Pittman isn't going to get the contract offer he wants in the open market with his future team needing to give up two first rounders to sign him, under the non-exclusive tag.
Not in THIS wide receiver class, at least. He'll be a Colt. https://t.co/nrMaRpmiae
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) March 5, 2024
