The Indianapolis Colts are moving on from wide receiver Michael Pittman, trading him to the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday. The teams also swapped late-round draft picks as part of the deal.
Trading Pittman became necessary after the Colts secured a long-term extension for Alec Pierce, while continuing contract talks with quarterback Daniel Jones. Pittman had signed a three-year, $70 million extension in March 2024, which would have carried a $29 million cap hit in 2026.
Pittman, 28, spent his entire six-year career in Indianapolis, catching 485 passes for 5,254 yards (10.8-yard average) and 25 touchdowns in 95 games (86 starts). Despite a career-best seven touchdown catches in 2025, Pittman’s overall production dropped as Pierce emerged as the Colts’ clear No. 1 receiver.
Pittman will now get a fresh start in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers lacked a true complement to DK Metcalf. No other receiver on the roster caught more than 31 passes last season. The Steelers plan to sign Pittman to a new three-year, $59 million extension, per NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo. While the quarterback situation for head coach Mike McCarthy remains uncertain, Pittsburgh’s receiving corps is now stronger with the addition of Pittman.
