The Indianapolis Colts began their offseason preparations this week as they fell just short of qualifying for the postseason. They finished with a winning record, going 9-8. Still, their loss to the Houston Texans in Week 18 ultimately cost them the AFC South title, which Houston won courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars losing to the Tennessee Titans.
One player to keep an eye on for the Colts in the offseason is wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. He showed once again that he can be a reliable go-to, No. 1 target in the passing offense as he put together a career season.
Pittman caught 109 passes for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games. The receptions and yardage are both new career highs, as he picked a perfect time to set them as he prepares for free agency.
NFL News & Rumors: Chris Ballard, Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts Updates
A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Pittman will be one of the best wide receivers available in free agency this offseason. In a group that could include Calvin Ridley, Gabe Davis, Marquise Brown, Mike Evans and Tee Higgins, Pittman could easily be ranked No. 1 by some teams.
The Colts know that Pittman will be a sought-after commodity this offseason, but they would love to have him back. General manager Chris Ballard spoke very highly of the USC product and gave some insight to what the team’s plans are with him.
“I care about him deeply. … We’re gonna work to get him back,” Ballard said, via James Boyd of The Athletic on X, formerly Twitter.
NFL News & Rumors: Chris Ballard, Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts Updates
With Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, set in stone as the team’s franchise quarterback, it makes sense for the Colts to want to bring back Pittman. He is a productive player and the team should be doing everything it can to upgrade the weapons around him, not create a void in the offense.
Bringing back Pittman, after agreeing to a long-term deal with running back Jonathan Taylor during the season, should be the team’s No. 1 offseason goal. Pairing him with a veteran such as Evans would help take this offense to another level.
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