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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr trying to make a play during an NFL game against the New York Jets.
The New York Jets have a golden opportunity to add a dynamic player on offense.
NFL Insider Matt Lombardo joined me on “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital” and explained that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr could be on the move this offseason.
“The executive I spoke to told me that he is so confident in the Colts keeping Alec Pierce that he thinks there is a non-zero chance that the Colts would trade Michael Pittman Jr to be able to keep Pierce,” Lombardo told me on the podcast.
“My guess would be probably a mid-round pick [and] maybe a player. These two teams obviously have a relationship with Chris Ballard and Darren Mougey from the trade deadline, working out the Sauce Gardner deal,” Lombardo said when asked what the compensation would look like in a potential trade.
“So if there is a trade to be made, then I think this would be a natural landing spot with the Jets and Michael Pittman,” Lombardo said. “Obviously, as far as a fit from a compensation and draft capital standpoint and matching that with the need of a big play wide receiver, Michael Pittman to the Jets makes a lot of sense for everyone involved.”
#NFL Insider Matt Lombardo revealed that an anonymous executive told him that there is a “non-zero chance that the #Colts would trade Michael Pittman Jr to be able to keep [Alec] Pierce” this offseason.
One of the teams that could be in the mix for him: the #Jets.
“Michael
Rumors Are Bubbling About a Potential Pittman Departure
Pittman, 28, has one year left on his $70 million contract through the 2026 season.
“Pittman has a $29 million cap hit in 2026. The Colts could release Pittman and create $24 million in cap space for next season while carrying just $5 million in dead money. Those financial incentives make it very likely that Pittman has played his last game for the Colts,” James Boyd of The Athletic wrote.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote an article breaking down realistic trades we could see go down this offseason. One of those ideas was the Colts trading away Pittman.
“If the Colts want to keep Pierce, moving on from Pittman will probably be part of that equation. All of Pittman’s 2026 salary is nonguaranteed, so Indy could cut him if needed. He would have some modest trade value as a WR2,” Barnwell explained.
There Has Been a Recent Dip in Production
The former USC product, at his best, can be one of the top 10 pass catchers in the NFL.
Over three years from 2021-23, Pittman put up 296 receptions for 3,159 receiving yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
However, Pittman has fallen off over the last two seasons.
In 2024, Pittman had 69 catches for 808 receiving yards, and he scored three times. Last season, he finished with 80 receptions for 784 receiving yards, and he scored seven touchdowns.
Is he falling off a cliff? Or did he suffer because of lackluster quarterback play?
One of Two Paths for Jets to Consider
If the Jets struck a trade for Pittman, they’d have to figure out what to do.
Do you let Pittman play out the final year of his contract in 2026 and then figure things out after? Or do you extend him as part of the potential trade with the Colts?
According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, Pittman could command a two-year $58.27 million contract extension. That $29.1 million annual salary would place Pittman No. 9 among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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