The Indianapolis Colts don't necessarily have a salary cap problem. Yet. That could change with the signings of just two players. The team has a projected $53 million in cap room, according to various outlets, but the cap could be higher than expected in 2026. That would help Indy, at least.
It might not help wide receiver Michael Pittman, Jr., though. He has been Indianapolis's most consistent receiver since he arrived as a second-round draft pick in 2020, but he was a relative disappointment in 2025 while earning a ton of money. The money situation gets worse next season.
Pittman is a good player, but he is not elite. In 2026, he will get paid as if he is, as he has a cap hit of $29 million. The Colts could release him and save $24 million, and that might help Indy bring back quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce. Walking away from Pittman might also help the Washington Commanders.
Washington Commanders writer hits the right note with the Indianapolis Colts' Michael Pittman situation
One Commanders writer thinks so anyway. Washington could use a better receiver group, and Pittman would help improve that. According to Dean Jones of Riggo's Rag, Pittman is exactly the kind of wide receiver general manager Adam Peters would want.
Jones writes, "Since he entered the league, Pittman's one of just 22 players with at least 5,000 receiving yards. A feat like that is a testament to his longevity, durability, and consistency, and those traits check boxes for Washington. That's the kind of help the Commanders should try to get for (quarterback Jayden) Daniels."
The release of Michael Pittman, though still unlikely, might be something the Indianapolis Colts are forced to do. This is especially true if the question comes down to paying Pierce or Pittman. Pittman averaged just 9.8 yards per catch in 2025, and just 10.8 for his six-year career. He is going to catch nearly everything thrown his way, but he hasn't shown to be consistently explosive.
Every offense needs a player who can stretch the field. Opposing defenses aren't as scared of Pittman as they are of Pierce, who has led the league in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons. With more targets, which he would get if Pittman were no longer on the team, he has the potential of having a 1,500-yard season.
The assumption is that Pierce can likely garner $20 million a season in free agency, and that would eat as much as 40 percent of Indy's projected cap space. Daniel Jones could eat away the rest. This would leave the Colts with no real room to do anything else.
Releasing Michael Pittman and saving $24 million would change that outlook drastically. Pittman is a great teammate, and it would be good to have him on the team, but finances might determine his true fate.