Earlier this month, the Colts put an end to the Jonathan Taylor contract saga, but there is still work to be done on the extension front in the near future.
Across Michael Pittman Jr. is expected to become a free agent at the end of the current campaign, and he recently discussed his contract situation.
Pittman is currently in the fourth and final year of his rookie deal, and because he was previously selected in the second round, the fifth-year option is not available.
Therefore, the 26-year-old must sign a new contract with the Colts before the start of the new league year in March, failing which he may be forced to sign a second contract elsewhere, which will undoubtedly be a significant one.
He’s said before that he wants to stay in Indianapolis.
According to Pittman, teams take care of their players, according to Nate Atkins of the Indy Star.
If you’re not one of their guys, you’re not one of their guys.
Just going out there and making a few plays is all I’m doing when I’m not playing on a daily basis and trying out for 31 different teams.
My teammates are obligated to me.
“.
These comments show how the USC alum is aware of the market he may be able to access once he becomes a free agent.
After surpassing 1,000 yards in 2021, Pittman had a season with 99 catches for 925 yards in 2018.
The Colts, a team that has been looking for complementary options to Pittman for the past few years, are led by his 297 receiving yards through five games as of Sunday’s action.
In the past two drafts, this effort led to the selection of players like Alec Pierce and Josh Downs on Day 2.
However, keeping Pittman under contract for the foreseeable future would allow Indianapolis to keep its pass-catching anchor.
Given his performance and the current receiver market, where several players routinely earn eight figures per year on extensions, doing so will undoubtedly require a sizable multi-year investment.
A Pittman franchise tag would cost the Colts about $23MM because of the WR position’s upward trend.
Pittman continued, “I’m happy to play out the rest of the season without an agreement in place for 2024.”.
Therefore, his performances with temporary backup Gardner Minshew at quarterback will be important to watch in terms of how they affect his negotiating position.