Predicting how this offseason will end for Colts WR Micahel Pittman Jr.
The Indianapolis Colts have a few big decisions to make this offseason, but none bigger than what to do about impending free agent WR Michael Pittman Jr. Teams can begin to use their franchise tag on Tuesday, February 20th, and have until Tuesday, March 5th, before the deadline arrives ahead of the start of the […]
The Indianapolis Colts have a few big decisions to make this offseason, but none bigger than what to do about impending free agent WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Teams can begin to use their franchise tag on Tuesday, February 20th, and have until Tuesday, March 5th, before the deadline arrives ahead of the start of the league's new year.
With that period approaching, I decided to share my official opinion of how this saga between the Colts and Pittman Jr. will end. Will he return to Indianapolis in 2024? If so, how will it happen?
Will the Colts re-sign Michael Pittman Jr.?
One thing has been made clear to me from discussions with people close to the team: the Colts' number one priority is inking Pittman Jr. to a new deal prior to free agency beginning. The Colts haven't used the franchise tag since 2013, when they elected to use it on punter Pat McAfee. That is a telling fact, but honestly, they haven't had a player of Pittman Jr.'s caliber get to this point to make them consider using it.
I don't expect Pittman Jr. to get the tag during the early window once the tag opens; I think the Colts and Pittman Jr. will work towards a long-term extension first and foremost. If a deal isn't agreed to as that March 5th deadline approaches, I believe the Colts will use the tag to extend their window of negotiating a long-term contract with the WR.
From what I've been told, I believe the goal for both sides is a long-term extension that keeps Pittman Jr. in Indianapolis for the long hall, and because of that, I don't think they will have to resort to using the tag at all. But even if they do, I expect a long-term deal to be signed before training camp to ensure that Pittman Jr. doesn't have to play on the tag next season.
Should the Colts trade for Eagles OLB Haason Reddick?
If the Colts could pull this off, it would be massive for 2024.
Michael Pittman Jr. might have hinted at re-signing with the Colts
Some recent social media comments from WR Michael Pittman Jr. may be a good sign for the Colts.
