INDIANAPOLIS — Colts normal supervisor Chris Ballard supplied a succinct however daring prediction when requested Wednesday on the NFL scouting mix whether or not impending free agent receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will likely be on the roster subsequent season.
“Sure,” Ballard mentioned, with no trace of hesitation.
It was a significant, if temporary, reply to a important query going through Indianapolis. The Colts’ high wideout the previous three seasons, Pittman is about to turn out to be a free agent within the coming weeks after enjoying out his rookie contract.
However given Pittman’s desire to check the open market, the one method of really making certain Pittman stays on the roster for the 2024 season is to franchise-tag the 2020 second-round decide. NFL groups have till subsequent Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET to designate a franchise participant.
The nonexclusive franchise tag permits gamers to barter with different golf equipment, however it removes their unrestricted standing as a result of the participant’s authentic group retains the best to match a competing provide or obtain two first-round picks as compensation if the participant indicators with one other membership. The accompanying one-year wage for a franchised vast receiver this 12 months is $21.816 million.
Concerning the concept of utilizing the tag, which the Colts have not utilized since designating former punter Pat McAfee in 2013, Ballard mentioned, “It is a instrument we’ve. I am not going to say we’re not going to make use of it, however I am not going to say we’re. Hopefully we are able to come to an settlement and discover some compromise on a deal.”
Ballard mentioned these conversations are underway with Pittman’s representatives, however reaching a deal may show difficult, particularly earlier than Tuesday. Pittman has expressed a need to maximise his free company, saying lately, “I would not be doing my due diligence if I did not discover each choice and discover the very best match.”
On Wednesday, Ballard mentioned, “We have had talks with [Pittman’s] agent, who is actually good… We’ll work arduous to get a deal accomplished.”
Pittman’s worth to the Colts has lengthy been clear. The 26-year-old has averaged 99 receptions and 1,053 yards in the course of the previous three seasons, throughout which he has performed with six completely different beginning quarterbacks.
Ballard and his employees will presumably be consulting with proprietor Jim Irsay all through the Pittman negotiations, primarily based on a well being replace Ballard supplied on Wednesday.
“He’s progressing properly. We’re speaking,” Ballard mentioned of Irsay, who was lately hospitalized with what the Colts described as a respiratory sickness.
“Shane [Steichen] and I’ve talked to him a number of instances and we preserve him abreast of something. Look, on the finish of the day, we’re not going to do something with out his approval, so we nonetheless preserve him within the loop. I imply, you recognize him. He needs to know. He loves his group. He is making his method and he is doing properly. It is getting higher.”
All of that’s notable given Irsay’s current well being challenges, which prompted nice concern all through the group and amongst these near the longtime proprietor. Irsay had not been concerned in day-to-day administration of the group for a lot of weeks, sources informed ESPN. Earlier this month, Irsay posted on X that he was “on the mend. Grateful for all of the messages of affection and help.”
It stays unclear what, if any, well being challenges stay for Irsay in his restoration, however his involvement in group issues is a sign issues are trending in a constructive path. Considerations about Irsay had been compounded by current information that he was discovered unresponsive at his dwelling in early December and rushed to the hospital in what police described as a suspected overdose.
