Reports: Colts ship WR Michael Pittman Jr. to Steelers

Field Level Media
09 Mar 2026, 23:10 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

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 news of PIttman's exit came within an hour of reports of the landmark agreement between the Colts and pending free agent Alec Pierce.

Pittman caught 80 passes for 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns with the Colts last season.

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 head 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. Metcalf and Pittman carry two of the NFL's top five salary cap numbers for 2026 barring restructured contracts.

Metcalf is scheduled to count $31 million against the '26 cap and Pittman is right behind him at $29 million.

However, trading Pittman clears more than $24 million on the 2026 salary cap for the Colts. Indianapolis also agreed to trade linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Packers.

He had two 1,000-yard seasons in Indianapolis while the quarterback position was constantly in flux since he was drafted 34th overall in 2020.

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

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