-
Stephen Holder, ESPN
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts basic supervisor Chris Ballard provided a succinct however daring prediction when requested Wednesday on the NFL scouting mix whether or not impending free agent receiver Michael Pittman Jr. might 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 change into a free agent within the coming weeks after taking part in 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 choose. 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, but it surely removes their unrestricted standing as a result of the participant’s unique workforce retains the fitting 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 broad receiver this 12 months is $21.816 million.
Concerning the thought of utilizing the tag, which the Colts have not utilized since designating former punter Pat McAfee in 2013, Ballard mentioned, “It is a device we’ve got. 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 will 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 might show difficult, particularly earlier than Tuesday. Pittman has expressed a need to maximise his free company, saying just lately, “I would not be doing my due diligence if I did not discover each possibility and discover one of the best match.”
On Wednesday, Ballard mentioned, “We have had talks with [Pittman’s] agent, who is absolutely good… We’ll work laborious to get a deal completed.”
Pittman’s worth to the Colts has lengthy been clear. The 26-year-old has averaged 99 receptions and 1,053 yards throughout the previous three seasons, throughout which he has performed with six totally different beginning quarterbacks.
Ballard and his workers will presumably be consulting with proprietor Jim Irsay all through the Pittman negotiations, primarily based on a well being replace Ballard provided on Wednesday.
“He’s progressing properly. We’re speaking,” Ballard mentioned of Irsay, who was just lately hospitalized with what the Colts described as a respiratory sickness.
“Shane [Steichen] and I’ve talked to him a number of occasions 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 realize him. He desires to know. He loves his workforce. He is making his method and he is doing properly. It is getting higher.”
All of that’s notable given Irsay’s latest 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 workforce for a lot of weeks, sources advised 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 workforce issues is a sign issues are trending in a constructive route. Considerations about Irsay have been compounded by latest information that he was discovered unresponsive at his house in early December and rushed to the hospital in what police described as a suspected overdose.