ESPN Reveals Indianapolis Colts’ Biggest Offseason Priority
After missing the NFL playoffs, ESPN reveals the Indianapolis Colts’ top priorities through 2024.
Oh, what a difference a year can make for the Indianapolis Colts. This time last year, the Colts were thinking about Jeff Saturday, their head coach and their franchise quarterback.
A year later, the Colts appear to have found the two biggest pieces of the NFL puzzle with head coach Shane Steichen and quarterback Anthony Richardson. Instead of wondering how long it will be before the Colts become contenders again, the question this season is how high they’ll go in 2024.
That’s not to say the Indianapolis Colts have everything figured out for next season, but big questions and big priorities are easier to handle than a rookie head coach and rookie offense. ESPN sees signing wide receiver Michael Pittman to a long-term deal as their top priority this offseason, and many Colts fans agree.
“Colts should re-sign wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.,” Stephen Holder wrote for ESPN. “Pittman’s release is critical given how important he has been to the offense’s success. He is Indianapolis’ top offensive center as he has been targeted on 28.2 percent of his pass attempts this season (11th in the NFL) ..) caught 109 passes for 1,152 yards. There is no consistent threat behind Pittman, so keeping him is necessary, but it won’t come cheap. Look for him to sign the largest acquisition deal in franchise history.”
The Colts have a franchise option on Pittman, and unlike many players, including Jonathan Taylor last year, he doesn’t mind playing under the tag. To be fair to Taylor, a quarterback’s career is much shorter than a receiver’s, and the franchise tag is worth about half as much.
“I mean the franchise tag. I don’t think anybody would be happy with $23 million,” Pittman told reporters last week. “Actually, I don’t know. The franchise tag is almost a badge of honor because it puts you in the top five salaries for your position. But do I really want to play that game? You don’t necessarily have to say it. No, I don’t want to play with him. “But we could use him to sign a long-term contract.”
Additionally, the Colts connected several times in the game to get assists from Richardson and Pittman. ESPN’s Jordan Reed selected Georgia Bulldogs playmaker Brock Bowers in the latest mock draft. Yahoo’s Nate Tice has the Colts selecting Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman in the latest mock draft.
Rookie wide receiver Josh Downs had a great year with the Colts. He ranked second on the team with 771 yards.
It makes sense to re-sign Pittman and continue to build around Richardson. It’s hard to imagine Pittman not wearing a Colts uniform next year and settling for the franchise tag and knowing the Colts generally take care of themselves.
