The Pittsburgh Steelers made a foray into the trade market to acquire former Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. to be their WR2. And Pittman’s role in Pittsburgh could be more expansive than it was with the Colts. He told Kay Adams on Monday’s episode of Up & Adams that Mike McCarthy plans to use him a little differently than his role with the Colts.

“He just talked about diversifying to more. Obviously, my role in Indy was more that short-to-intermediate game. And every single game I thought I could do more,” Pittman said. “I would leave games frustrated because I thought I had more to offer the team. Going over that with him and then telling him everything I can do and him seeing that and expanding my role and my route tree back to what it was in Year 2 or 3, I’m really looking forward to that.”

Pittman implied he could line up at different spots with the Steelers.

“I don’t want to give up that secret sauce but having the ability to move around a little bit,” he said.

Pittman fits the mold of a potential big slot, and he also plays on the outside. While his role with Indianapolis as an underneath receiver is one that would fit how the Steelers’ offense worked last season, a new staff could have more in store for him. Of course, figuring out who the quarterback will be could impact how the offense runs. If Aaron Rodgers returns, the Steelers will likely still feature a lot of quick game offensively, and Pittman’s impact may be felt more underneath.

However, in his second season, Pittman did work more in the intermediate/deep game, as he averaged 12.3 yards on 88 catches for 1,082 yards. It sounds as if McCarthy plans to use him in a role more similar to that and have him move around and work both in the slot and outside. Pittman’s presence alone should take some pressure off DK Metcalf, who was frequently bracketed last season and also open the field up for the Steelers’ tight ends.

If he can become a receiver who can excel beyond just quick routes, then the Steelers will have a formidable tandem at the position. The offensive-minded McCarthy can be creative in the way he uses receivers, and Pittman is a player who could benefit from that in a big way.