Colts Urged To Trade Star Wide Receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

The Indianapolis Colts outlook for the 2023 season changed drastically on Wednesday. With the news that quarterback Anthony Richardson will be undergoing season-ending surgery on his shoulder, the team’s plans likely changed.

Sitting at 3-3, the front office and ownership could have convinced themselves that a few additions would turn them into true contenders in the AFC South. But, with Richardson out, the team will be sticking with their long-term approach to building the roster.

The Colts are more likely to be sellers than buyers ahead of the October 31st deadline, looking to maximize the value of some veterans who may not be retained beyond this season. One of the players who could fall into that category is wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

Playing out the final year of his rookie deal, Pittman is someone that the Colts should consider trading in the opinion of Cory Woodroof of For The Win on USA Today. In Woodrood’s opinion, Pittman is someone who could net the Colts some good draft capital should they put him on the market.

“Pittman is a very reliable wide receiver, but he’ll be a free agent in the spring. It would make sense for Indianapolis to consider moving him to a contender that needs wideout help for a third-round draft pick…

Trading Pittman for a third would be smart for the Colts. It’d give them a nice pick for next year’s draft, and it’d send Pittman to a place where he could help a team now and perhaps land a new deal early.”

It would certainly be a surprise to see Indianapolis move on from their No. 1 receiver. Without a true replacement on the roster, it would be peculiar to move Pittman unless the team has no plans on re-signing him to a long-term deal.

If that decision has already been made, trading him for as much compensation now makes sense. The compensatory algorithm wouldn’t give the Colts a pick until 2025 and there is a good chance it wouldn’t be anywhere near as valuable as a selection as they could get for him in a trade in the next two weeks.