Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is on his way to Pittsburgh in a trade to be completed when the league year begins on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
The compensation includes a late-round pick swap. The news of Pittman’s exit on Monday came within an hour of reports of the landmark agreement between Indianapolis and pending free agent wideout Alec Pierce.
Pittman, 28, caught 80 passes for 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) with the Colts last season.
The Steelers are signing Pittman to a new three-year, $59 million contract, per ESPN. He was entering the final year of a three-year, $70 million extension signed in March 2024.
The Steelers, who traded for DK Metcalf last March, have been in the market for top-end wideouts for multiple offseasons. It’s unclear whether the acquisition of Pittman signals the end of Metcalf’s time with the Steelers or if new coach Mike McCarthy plans to pair the big, strong and fast tandem in the overhaul of Pittsburgh’s offense.
Keeping them together won’t be cheap, as Metcalf is scheduled to count $31 million against the 2026 cap.
For the Colts, trading Pittman clears more than $24 million on the 2026 salary cap. Indianapolis also agreed to trade linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Packers.
Pittman posted two 1,000-yard seasons in Indianapolis while the quarterback position was constantly in flux since he was drafted 34th overall in 2020. He caught 485 passes for 5,254 yards and 25 TDs in 95 games (86 starts).
With the Steelers, there is no certainty at the moment who will play quarterback. Aaron Rodgers, the starter in 2025, is a free agent.
–Field Level Media
