It sounds like a star NFL receiver won’t be leaving his team anytime soon. The Indianapolis Colts declared on Wednesday their intentions to keep Michael Pittman Jr. around by any means necessary.
Pittman entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent after several years spent in Indianapolis. But despite that, the Colts still intend to keep him around. General manager Chris Ballard said as much on Wednesday while attention sprawled around the city over the NFL Scouting Combine.
Reporter Nate Atkins said, “Colts GM Chris Ballard said that Michael Pittman Jr. will be on the roster come Week 1, either by an extension or the franchise tag if necessary.”
Atkins reported this quote on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
#Colts GM Chris Ballard said that Michael Pittman Jr. will be on the roster come Week 1, either by an extension or the franchise tag if necessary.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) February 28, 2024
Pittman Jr. recorded 109 receptions, a career-high, and 1,152 yards, also a career-best, in the 2023 season. Pittman Jr. added four receiving touchdowns, the same number he scored in 2022. It didn’t quite match the six that he scored in 2021, the top mark for his career so far.
Pittman recorded over 1,000 yards in 2021 as well (1,082).
He has 3,662 career receiving yards and 15 career receiving touchdowns.
Four years in, he’s become a very reliable target, and will only help second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson out even more as he progresses. So it’s easy to understand why the team is prioritizing Pittman’s presence with them.
The NFL world had plenty to say.
Shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone but feels good for Ballard to put that to rest. https://t.co/ZfsmEOXxmo
— Destin Adams (@TheDestinAdams) February 28, 2024
And we can finally put this to bed as well now. https://t.co/7xmNGACu5i
— Landon Oliver (@Landon3MR) February 28, 2024
This is the #Colts news we needed. Strong love for @MikePitt_Jr in this city! Ballard isn’t usually so direct regarding the roster so he loves him too! I just hope it’s a long term deal and not the tag. https://t.co/FiUnupbejF
— For the Shoe (@ForTheHorseshoe) February 28, 2024
okay now everyone can stop trying to poach my boy https://t.co/O7E3Yd9UYV
— aaron. (@ayroned) February 28, 2024
