Michael Pittman Jr. is entering his fifth year in the NFL and is looking to become the top wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. This offseason, he signed a three-year, $70M contract that included $46M guaranteed. With a second-year quarterback who only has four starts under his belt, Pittman will need to be a huge contributor. He will be a key factor in Shane Steichen’s offense and with the new contract, all eyes will be on him to produce.
There is no question that Pittman is the best wide receiver on the Indianapolis Colts. However, the team will need him to be more than just the best on the roster. He will need to be the best that he has ever been in his career.
Why Michael Pittman Jr. Is Under the Most Pressure This Season
His Numbers Show Potential
Throughout Michael Pittman Jr.’s career, his numbers have continued to climb and improve. With last season being his best year yet, he hopes to improve again. In 2023, with Gardner Minshew as his quarterback for most of the season, Pittman put up monster numbers. He finished with 109 receptions on 156 targets for 1,152 yards, four touchdowns, and 53 first downs.
These numbers are not explosive, but they compare well against some of the best in the league. His receptions ranked fourth among wide receivers and his receiving yards ranked 14th. He had 513 yards after the catch which ranked 10th. Pittman also had a 57.7% contested catch rate which ranked 11th. These statistics show Pittman’s potential to be a top-tier wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. All he has done so far in his career is continue to improve.
He is Entering His Fifth Year Under a New Contract
Anytime a player signs a massive contract, the pressure to perform escalates. The reason is because of monetary value. If a team is going to invest so much money into a player, he must produce to make the investment worth it. As mentioned earlier, Pittman has continued to improve throughout his career. Therefore, the expectation is that he will improve in his fifth year with Anthony Richardson at quarterback.
On top of being able to produce on the field, Pittman will also need to stay healthy on the field. Throughout his four years in the league, he has only missed five games due to injury. Therefore, Pittman has the production and the health to justify his new contract.
He is the Best Wide Receiver on the Roster
The Indianapolis Colts have several young and promising wide receivers on their roster. However, Pittman as a fifth-year veteran, is the most experienced of the starting receivers. At only 26 years old, the Colts will look to him to lead the squad and be the security blanket for Anthony Richardson. Pittman has yet to be selected for a Pro Bowl or achieve any awards in his career. However, this could easily change this season and the expectation is that it will change this season. The pressure is certainly on for Pittman to perform at a high level. However, it’s not just for him to perform this season, but to perform for many more seasons to come.
Main Photo: Robert Scheer/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK
