Colts' Chris Ballard Clears the Air on Michael Pittman Jr.'s Future

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard was blunt when talking about star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

Like every offseason, Chris Ballard and the Indianapolis Colts have many decisions to make about the future of the franchise.

In 2024, no decision is bigger than the future of Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman will become a free agent in just a few short weeks if he and the Colts cannot come to a long-term extension or if the Colts do not use the franchise tag on the star wide receiver.

As the media gathered around Ballard during his availability at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, the general manager was asked a very simple question: Whether it's going to be the tag or whether it's going to be a long-term deal, in Ballard's head, will Pittman be here in September?

"Yes," Ballard said with conviction.

Well, I guess that clears that up.

The Colts do not plan on letting Pittman go anywhere. They will not even risk Pittman reaching free agency when the legal tampering period begins on March 11, as the Colts will place the franchise tag on him if they have not come to a deal by March 5. Pittman will be a Colt for at least the 2024 season.

When we last heard from Ballard and Pittman after the season ended, contract negotiations had yet to begin on an extension. That is no longer the case, as Ballard pulled back the curtain on what has transpired over the last month regarding Pittman's extension.

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“Here’s what I’ll tell you, we’ve had talks with his agent, who is really good," Ballard revealed. "His agent has been doing it a long time. He’s really good at what he does. We’ll work hard to get a deal done. (The franchise tag is) a tool we have. I’m not going to say we’re not going to use it, but I’m not going to say we are. Hopefully we can come to an agreement and find some compromise on a deal.”

Pittman wants to cash in after his best season as a pro. The WR1 hauled in a career-high 109 catches for 1,152 yards, another career-high, and four touchdowns. Pittman became the fourth player in Colts' history to have over 100 catches in a season, joining Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark.

Since being drafted in 2020, Pittman has continued to improve every season. This fact is even more impressive when you consider the inconsistencies at quarterback Pittman has dealt with. He has caught passes from seven different quarterbacks in just four years.

But Ballard has also been impressed by Pittman off the field. The general manager has a unique relationship with his team's top receiver, but it is a relationship of the utmost respect.

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"We have an interesting relationship, and one that is really good, but it is no doubt honest," Ballard explained. "Blunt honest, which I like. ... I mean look, he cares about winning. He wants to win. And when you're a good player, part of that is you want the football. Like, I don't know if I want to be around a guy that doesn't want the ball.

He continued, "That's okay, and it's okay to show your personality, and it's okay to demand it. There's a way to do it, a right way to do it, But it's one of the things I appreciate about Pitt. The one thing you never have to worry about with that guy is he empties the tank. He absolutely empties the tank."

While the Colts have decided what to do about Pittman and will continue to work towards a long-term deal, that does not mean Ballard will not look to add a wide receiver. The 2024 draft class has been heralded as one of the most talented wide receiver classes in years. With the Colts' scouting department finishing their draft meetings for February, Ballard agrees that the class is oozing with talent.

“It’s good – depth," Ballard admitted. "Yeah, a lot of depth at every level as a matter of fact. It’s strong. It’s a really strong class. I don’t know if you see them as strong as this, but I compare it almost like when Pitt came (in 2020). That year was really good and (Justin) Jefferson and (Brandon) Aiyuk and Pitt in the upper part of the draft. I think CeeDee Lamb was in that draft. It’s comparable.”

Whether through the draft or free agency, Ballard wants to ensure the Colts have better depth at wide receiver.  Outside of Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, Indy did not have many other options at the position. The Colts only kept four full-time wide receivers on the roster for most of the season. The fifth wide receiver was generally a practice squad call-up, which is a dangerous way to live in the NFL.

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"I think I told you all after the season, losing (Ashton) Dulin, I told y’all I did a poor job," Ballard recalled. "We were kind of manufacturing that – you saw it with the practice squad move up – Dulin was a huge loss just because he gives you so much not only on special teams, but his ability to play inside and outside. If you have to start him for a stretch, he can do it.

"I’ve got to do a better job of helping Reggie (Wayne) and the offensive staff. Nothing against the players we had in there playing, it was a rotation all year. That’s hard and that makes it really hard on the coaches. I blame myself for that one.”

Adding more quality, explosive wide receivers to the roster will only help the Colts get to where they want to be. It will also help Anthony Richardson, the young quarterback returning from shoulder surgery. The Colts must continue to add pieces around him to give Richardson the best chance to succeed.

And the best chance for Richardson to succeed is having his WR1 on the field with him. The Colts know the talent they have in Pittman and are not letting him out the door. Now, the question becomes, when will the Colts lock Pittman in on a long-term extension?

"Always the preference is to take care of your own people first," Ballard said.

The extension may happen in a few days or in a few months, but Pittman's future is in Indy as a member of the Colts.

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