Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has been playing out 2023 without a new contract, and this week, he spoke about his lack of an extension.
“We haven’t really talked about [an extension], but that’s not a bad thing,” Pittman said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN. “I feel like it’s worked out in my favor. If I would’ve did a deal at the beginning of the year, it probably would’ve been less than what I could potentially get in the future.”
Pittman is set to hit free agency this offseason in a wide out crop that will include the likes of Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, Marquise Brown and Calvin Ridley.
“I’d say a great receiver is a guy who performs consistently at a high level no matter what the situation is,” Pittman said. “So, he’s going to show up, rain, shine, snow, whether it’s the starting quarterback, the backup quarterback, he’s going to show up in every system that he’s been in and be able to have success without a long-term quarterback.”
In 13 games this season, Pittman has hauled in 95 receptions for 984 yards and four touchdowns, putting him in line for a hefty pay day this spring. Of course, the Colts can always slap a franchise tag on him, but it would still be costly.
Indianapolis would obviously like to keep Pittman around for the sake of young quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is sidelined for the season due to a shoulder injury.
“It’s easier to come out the gate with a guy you’ve had for the past three years because then they know you. … But you don’t always have that luxury,” Pittman said. “And we’re hoping with [Richardson], he’s going to end that cycle. But I’m here for now. I don’t know what the future holds.”
Michael Pittman Jr., who played his collegiate football at the University of Southern California, was selected by Indianapolis in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
His best campaign to date came in 2021, when he caught 88 passes for 1,082 yards and six scores. He is certainly on pace to shatter those numbers this season.
The Colts are 7-6 this year and will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.
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