5 Colts players who are entering pivotal contract years in 2023

2. Michael Pittman Jr. is entering a pivotal contract year

Michael Pittman Jr. is entering his fourth season in the league and his third season as the Colts No. 1 receiver. There may be debate about if he’s a No. 1 receiver in general, but he’s undoubtedly the top pass-catcher for Indianapolis, and Indy needs to make sure they keep him around.

As a rookie, Michael Pittman Jr. caught 40 passes for 503 yards and one touchdown. In 2021, Pittman more than doubled those numbers, catching 88 passes for 1,082 yards and six touchdowns. With the instability of the offense in 2022, Pittman had 99 receptions but just 925 yards and four touchdowns. He’ll be looking to get back over 1,000 yards next season.

Pittman will be the No. 1 receiving option for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, and fortunately, it’s looking like Indy will finally have a competent receiving core. Led by Pittman, Indy also has Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, two young receivers with a lot of promise.

Although it has become really expensive to pay wide receivers in today’s NFL, the Colts can’t afford to risk a regression by letting Pittman go. Expect Indy to either extend Pittman before the season or to re-sign him next year.