Feb. 16, 2026, 11:28 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
Each NFL beat writer for The Athletic<\/a> selected a potential cut candidate this offseason from their respective teams. When it comes to the Indianapolis Colts<\/a>, the choice is an obvious one.<\/p>\n Wide receiver Michael Pittman.<\/p>\n This is who James Boyd<\/a> selected as the Colts<\/a>‘ possible cut candidate. The reason this is fairly obvious is that Pittman is set to earn $24 million<\/a> next season and has a cap hit of $29 million.<\/p>\n “There is no way Indianapolis will pay him that salary, especially after Alec Pierce supplanted him as the team\u2019s No. 1 receiver,” Boyd wrote. “Pittman could either restructure his contract to reduce his salary and remain with the Colts, or they could release him.”<\/p>\n For some context around Pittman’s contract, he will have the\u00a0seventh-largest<\/a>\u00a0salary cap hit of any receiver in football. His base salary is tied for the seventh-largest as well.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n While Pittman continues to provide a steady, reliable presence in the\u00a0Colts<\/a>‘ passing game, his production compared to his base salary and cap hit\u00a0doesn’t align.<\/p>\n Pittman’s 773 receiving yards this past season ranked 29th in the NFL,\u00a0according to PFF<\/a>.<\/p>\n If the Colts were to move on from Pittman, the team would create $24 million in salary cap savings. That’s cap space that could go towards re-signing Alec Pierce and others.<\/p>\n Pittman is aware of what could transpire this offseason.<\/p>\n