Jan. 30, 2026, 7:52 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
Indianapolis Colts’<\/a> wide receiver Michael Pittman was put on the “hot seat” by one NFL analyst.<\/p>\n Nic Bodiford of Pro Football Focus<\/a> recently highlighted five players that he believes are on the hot seat after the 2025 season. Among those included was Pittman.<\/p>\n “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,.” Bodiford wrote. “He faces threats for the No. 1 pass-catcher role from three different players across multiple positions after finishing as the WR21 this season.”<\/p>\n Pittman finished the 2025 season with the most targets on the team. He also led the Colts<\/a> in touchdowns with seven and recorded 784 receiving yards.<\/p>\n Since joining the Colts, Pittman has provided the offense with a reliable presence in the passing game.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n However, 2026 is the final year of Pittman’s contract, and he comes with a massive salary cap hit.<\/p>\n According to Over the Cap, Pittman is set to earn $24 million next season and has a cap hit of $29 million.<\/p>\n For some context, Pittman will have the\u00a0seventh-largest<\/a>\u00a0salary cap hit of any receiver in football. His base salary is tied for the seventh-largest. Production-wise, meanwhile, he ranked 29th in receiving yards last season.<\/p>\n If the Colts were to move on from Pittman, the team would create $24 million in salary cap savings.<\/p>\n