Colts need to do every effort to get Michael Pittman Jr. back.

While the Indianapolis Colts have many offseason concerns, re-signing Michael Pittman Jr. should be at the top of the list. Pittman is about to make his career’s first free agency entry after four years in Indianapolis, three of which he spent as the team’s top wide receiver. Pittman stated he wants to conduct due diligence and assess the state of the market after his rookie deal expires.

The Colts would be wise to prevent that from occurring. In a recent article for PFF, Brad Spielberger listed one free agent that every NFL team cannot afford to lose. Michael Pittman Jr. was the obvious choice, even though Indianapolis has players like Grover Stewart, Julian Blackmon, and Kenny Moore II heading into free agency.

Pittman, a big-bodied possession receiver who seldom ever drops the ball and who appears to be the ideal safety net for Anthony Richardson as he advances to the NFL, “took his game to another level for the Colts this season,” as Spielberger explained. Pittman participated in 16 games in 2023, hauling in 109 receptions for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns.

Pittman has expressed interest in entering the market, but there isn’t much reason to believe he will actually move out of Indianapolis. In addition to Pittman having spent his whole career in Indianapolis, the Colts have the advantage of being able to negotiate with Pittman before other clubs. In other words, Pittman might sign a new contract with the Colts without ever contacting a rival team.

Indianapolis would benefit greatly from this since Pittman’s next deal would only increase due to competition. In the event that Pittman is receiving contracts from other clubs, which would increase the cost, the Colts would be required to match those offers. Indianapolis can’t afford to lose Pittman, so it would make sense for them to match bids; nonetheless, the wisest course of action would be to re-sign him before other clubs can formally make an offer.