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Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen
The pressure was on the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 season and will likely continue despite some promising performances early.
Daniel Jones should return for his second season of Shane Steichen’s playcalling following success in the first few weeks.
But regardless, the Colts should still have some people in the hot seat following the poor end to the season, including a veteran who will enter his seventh season.
Offensive Weapon Named To Hot Seat
GettyA Colts offensive weapon is in the hot seat entering his final season
Daniel Jones was on track to have his best passing season in all major metrics, but it was cut short due to multiple injuries.
While Jones was having a good season, he was unable to connect with some players on his offense.
Nic Bodiford of Pro Football Focus names Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. as a veteran who will enter the hot seat in the 2026 NFL season.
“Pittman enters his age-28 offseason in a precarious position. His 1.46 yards per route run (YPRR) is just 0.02 yards from the lowest per-route average among his six NFL seasons, and his 70.4 PFF offense grade is his second-lowest. He faces threats for the No. 1 pass-catcher role from three different players across multiple positions after finishing as the WR21 this season,” Bodiford wrote.
“As detailed previously, ‘PFF receiving grade and age show the strongest correlation, with 11 players being 25 years old or younger and/or grading out as one of the top 12 wide receivers among 36 qualifiers with at least 449 receiving snaps in Weeks 1-17…’ Pittman has one year remaining on his contract. The team can save $24 million by cutting him while losing only $5 million in dead money.”
Pittman Jr recorded his worst season as an NFL player since his rookie season in terms of receiving yards, recording 784 yards. Pittman was more of a threat in the redzone this season, logging a career high with 7 touchdown receptions.
The wide receiver recorded 7 games under 50 yards, something you don’t want to see from the de factor lead receiver on the team.
Not all the blame or lack of credit can be put on Michael Pittman, as the Colts had three quarterbacks this season, which could explain the lack of eye-grabbing numbers. But he has been able to have his best season with Gardner Minshew and Anthony Richardson throwing the ball to him.
Michael Pittman Jr. Being Replaced?
GettyThe Indianapolis Colts have a young option on the team
An offensive weapon who has improved even with the quarterback carousel happening in Indianapolis is former Cincinnati Wildcat Alec Pierce.
For the first time in his career, Pierce achieved more than 1,000 receiving yards on 47 receptions with multiple different quarterbacks throwing at him.
Pierce, who will be 26 by the start of the new opening week of the 2026 NFL season, will head into the free agency market.
The wide receiver will have a sizeable market entering the FA, but has mentioned that he would like to see Daniel Jones return and that could help persuade him.
If both Pierce and Jones return, the Colts ‘ offense will likely flourish again with the former as WR1.
Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
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