Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) takes the field ahead of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is headed to Pittsburgh in a trade that could be completed when the league year begins Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
Rewards include late-game pick swaps. News of Pittman’s exit on Monday came within an hour of reports of a landmark agreement between Indianapolis and pending free agent Alec Pierce.
Pittman, 28, caught 80 passes for 784 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) with the Colts last season.
The Steelers signed Pittman to a new three-year, $59 million contract, per ESPN. He was entering the final year of a three-year, $70 million extension signed in March 2024.
The Steelers, who traded for DK Metcalf last March, have been in the market for a high-end wideout for several offseasons. It’s unclear whether Pittman’s acquisition signals the end of Metcalf’s time with the Steelers or if new coach Mike McCarthy plans to combine a big, strong and quick tandem in an overhaul of Pittsburgh’s offense.
Metcalf is scheduled to count $31 million against the cap in 2026, so keeping them together wouldn’t be cheap.
For the Colts, the Pittman deal would clear more than $24 million from their 2026 salary cap. Indianapolis also agreed to trade linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Packers.
Pittman has two 1,000-yard seasons in Indianapolis, and the quarterback position has been in constant flux since being drafted 34th overall in 2020. He caught 485 passes for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns in 95 games (86 starts).
It’s currently unclear who will play quarterback for the Steelers. 2025 starting pitcher Aaron Rodgers is a free agent.
–Field level media
