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Report: Indianapolis Colts trade WR Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh Steelers

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs03/09/26grant_grubbs_

On Monday, the Indianapolis Colts traded wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Pittman made 17 appearances and 16 starts for the Colts this past season.

He finished the year with 784 receiving yards and a career-high seven touchdowns on 80 catches. While Pittman notched a personal-best in receiving touchdowns, his receiving yards were a step backward from the 2024 campaign, and a significant decrease from his career-high 1,152 yards in 2023.

Following his standout season in 2023, Pittman signed a three-year, $71.5 million contract extension with the Colts. The contract included $46 million guaranteed. The Steelers and Pittman agreed to a new three-year, $59 million deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Pittman’s recent decrease in production could be due to instability for the Colts at quarterback. In 2024, the team started both Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco. This past season, QB Daniel Jones was red-hot early, but suffered a torn Achilles tendon in December and was replaced by veteran Philip Rivers.

Unfortunately for Michael Pittman Jr., the Steelers’ quarterback situation is also in flux. The organization is currently waiting on Aaron Rodgers to announce whether he’ll play again next season or is retiring.

At 42 years old, Rodgers had a stellar 2025-26 campaign for the Steelers, completing 65.7% of his pass attempts for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns, compared to seven interceptions. If Rodgers retires, either Will Howard or Mason Rudolph will fill his role, barring a new addition to the Steelers’ roster.

The Steelers posted a 10-7 regular-season record before falling to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round of the playoffs. After the season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and the organization hired Mike McCarthy as his replacement. McCarthy seemingly isn’t rushing Rodgers to make a decision.

“When guys are up at that stage in their career, they need to step away and decompress a bit,” McCarthy said. “I think that’s very important. The game is so emotional. What these men commit to and what they put into it, I think that time away is important.”

The sooner the Steelers know who their next QB1 is, the sooner Michael Pittman Jr. can begin to establish a relationship with his pass-thrower. Pittman will look to reach new heights as he enters the next chapter of his career.