Grading the trade: Pittsburgh Steelers find their wide receiver No.2 after acquiring Michael Pittman from the Indianapolis Colts
Did the Steelers make the right move with the trade for Michael Pittman Jr?
For the second year in a row, the Pittsburgh Steelers have swung a big trade for a wide receiver. It was well known that the Steelers would be making moves in free agency when it came to the position, but would it be a trade or a signing?
Well, the Indianapolis Colts were making it clear after the Alec Pierce signing that Michael Pittman Jr. would be available. The Steelers swooped in, and now the question is, was it a smart move? We discuss below.
What did the Steelers give up to get Michael Pittman Jr.?
The reports are that the Steelers will be giving the Colts a late-round pick swap once the trade is finalized at the start of the new league year on Wednesday. It’s a heady play from Pittsburgh. Pittman was likely going to be cut if he couldn’t be traded, so instead of worrying about him hitting the open market, the Steelers hopped on the phone and only parted with late-round capital.
Part of the reason that he was available is that Pittman had a 2026 cap hit of $29 million, which simply was too much for the Colts, who just paid Alec Pierce and want to bring back Daniel Jones. So are the Steelers paying him that much? Not quite.
Steelers sign Michael Pittman to three-year, $59 million deal
The extension will bring down that 2026 cap hit, move the money down the road, and give Pittman a new average annual salary just under $20 million. At only 28 years old, the Steelers have their WR duo of the future, but what exactly are they getting from Pittman? I asked Destin Adams of A to Z Sports Indianapolis.
What are the Steelers getting from Michael Pittman?
“Michael Pittman Jr. has been one of the most beloved players in the Colts locker room from the moment he was drafted by the team in 2020. He’s gone through the wringer in Indy, with no stability at QB and some really tough injuries over the past couple of years.”
“He is a guy who is willing to get his nose dirty, and on top of being a reliable pass catcher, is a very strong run blocker at the WR position. I’m not sure how much I like the fit between Metcalf and Pittman Jr. together, but what I do know is that he will find whatever role he needs to have, and he will attack it with 110% effort.”
“Fans loved Pittman, and I’m sure they will all root for him to succeed with the Steelers. He may not be a 1,000-yard WR anymore, but I truly think every team in the league would love to have a player with Pittman Jr.’s mindset on their roster.” – Adams
Final Grade: A
With the official compensation being released, we can give this trade a final grade. The Steelers just received a true WR No.2 at 28 years old. They extended his contract to bring down the 2026 cap hit, and all they gave up was one of their two sixth-round picks.
I’d say that’s a good deal and one worth an A.
Pittsburgh Steelers News
Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Follow every addition, re-signing, trade, and departure
Here are all the moves from 2026 NFL free agency as it pertains to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
