The Spotlight on Pittman: Michael Pittman Jr. is Due for a Massive Game to Shake Off His…
Michael Pittman Jr. is in his fifth year with the Indianapolis Colts, and in 2024, he has struggled to produce and is looking for a breakout game to end the season. This is not to say that Pittman is washed or no longer a good playmaker. It is, rather, to say that Pittman’s numbers have taken a dip, especially when his young quarterback needs him the most.
There are a couple of factors that are contributing to this decline. Pittman is catching footballs from a very inexperienced quarterback Anthony Richardson. Through 11 starts, Richardson is only completing 47.7% of his passes. Naturally, the receiver’s numbers will take a hit when a quarterback struggles with accuracy. Also, Pittman is the Colts’ best receiver, so defenses have been double-teaming him which forces Richardson to look elsewhere. The bottom line is that Michael Pittman Jr. is having the worst season of his career and with two games left, he will be due for a breakout game.
Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. Needs Breakout Game After Big Payday
He Is Under Contract
Before this season began, Pittman signed a three-year, $70M contract extension which included $46M guaranteed. It was after this contract that the expectations were poured on and rightfully so. Leading up until this season, Pittman averaged 1053 yards per season in the last three years. He also caught 69% of the passes thrown to him during that span. Needless to say, Pittman deserved the money that he received during the offseason. However, this money most definitely came with expectations for future production.
The unfortunate thing is that he has not lived up to the money in 2024. In all facets, Pittman is having a career low in terms of production. Again, having Anthony Richardson as one’s quarterback will provide a dip in production. However, the Colts did not expect this type of regression from their best receiver. Pittman will have a good opportunity coming up against struggling defenses in the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars. For the Colts to have some kind of validation for their investment, a breakout game is for Pittman and he is running out of time.
One of the more glaring critiques of Pittman is the fact that he is not considered a top-rated wide receiver. He is the Colts best receiver, but around the league as a whole, he is not at the top. Pittman has not even made a Pro Bowl yet and will not make one again this year. He has not made the NFL Top 100 or even been a leader in any receiving category. However, his total three-year cash is tied with Los Angeles Rams All-Pro Cooper Kupp.
That being said, though, the contract extension was warranted based on his previous production. However, with great money comes great expectations and Pittman has failed to live up to the expectations. His talent has not diminished and he has made some crucial catches for the team. The fact, however, remains that he is not a top wide receiver yet. Pittman certainly has all of the talent and traits to be one, but the pieces just aren’t falling this year. One thing that could pivot the conversation surrounding Pittman’s production is a breakout game. He only has one game of 100 or more yards and will need to do that and more these next two games.
