The Indianapolis Colts have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. as the deadline approached, setting the tag at $21.816 million for the 2024 season. This decision allows Pittman to negotiate with other teams, with the Colts having the right to match any offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation. Both parties are reportedly continuing discussions towards a long-term deal. Pittman, who recorded 109 catches and 1,152 receiving yards in 2023, has been a key player for the Colts, achieving these numbers despite having a different starting quarterback in each of his four seasons with the team. Additionally, Pittman gained 891 receiving yards when facing 5+ yards of cushion, ranking 5th-most in the NFL, and recorded +9.5 receptions over expected against off coverage last season, 4th-most in the league.
The #Colts are placing the franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman Jr. 🏷️ The two sides are expected to continue working on a long-term deal, per @TomPelissero. #ForTheShoe | #NFL https://t.co/P8E0ldcn4A
Colts’ Michael Pittman receives non-exclusive franchise tag ⤵️ https://t.co/vAyf9iKEVT
Colts play tag. Pitt’s ‘it’ https://t.co/rD3tPv6vIr
The Colts kept negotiating with Pittman Jr. right up until the deadline, and my understanding is the two sides were not that far away. Non-exclusive tag, in theory, allows Pittman to gauge value on open market while two sides keep working towards deal. https://t.co/ZaqsazkjbL
Colts announce they’ve put the non-exclusive franchise tag WR Michael Pittman Jr.
As refresher, Colts using non-exclusive franchise tag allows Pittman to negotiate with other teams and sign offer sheet with one. Colts can match, or receive 2 1st-round draft picks as compensation. Franchise tag often serves as bridge to long-term deal before mid-July.
Colts go non-exclusive with the franchise tag. Under non-exclusive tag, Pittman can negotiate with other teams, and if he gets an offer elsewhere, Indy can either match the deal or get two first-round picks from his new team. First time Colts have used tag since 2013. https://t.co/5WWkYeFNez
The Colts announced they have tagged WR Michael Pittman Jr. The two sides have been trying to get a deal done, and the team wasn’t going to risk losing him in free agency.
Official. https://t.co/Leco3u2Wes
The Colts are placing their franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman Jr., per @AdamSchefter The two sides are hoping to come to a long-term deal. https://t.co/k94vXlCIYr
We have placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Michael Pittman: Franchise tagged by Colts https://t.co/4CKFh3ABlR
The Colts have placed the franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman Jr., source says. He will be due $21.8 million in 2024 if the two sides can’t reach an agreement on a long-term deal.
Colts use franchise tag on Michael Pittman Jr. https://t.co/nGqAHjFeNu
Now outlets just rubbing it in. https://t.co/jJkhiNGCkl
First time the Colts have used the franchise tag in 11 years. Last was on @PatMcAfeeShow in 2013 for $2.9 million. And I believe that was because Jim Irsay had no interest in letting McAfee sniff the open market.
Michael Pittman Jr. joins the list of NFL stars to get tagged 🏷️ https://t.co/jQ16znCdub
Breaking: Colts will franchise tag WR Michael Pittman Jr., per @TomPelissero. Franchise tag will be worth $21.86 million. Both parties will continue to negotiate a long-term deal. https://t.co/K1XzMcsjHL
Per @TomPelissero and others and as expected, Colts use $21.8 million franchise tag on Michael Pittman Jr. https://t.co/Vcaz5xltwY
Unable to strike deal, Colts tag Michael Pittman https://t.co/4WTfo7ikEl
Michael Pittman gained 891 receiving yards when facing 5+ yards of cushion (off coverage) in 2023, 5th-most in the NFL. Pittman also recorded +9.5 receptions over expected against off coverage last season, 4th-most in the NFL. #ForTheShoe https://t.co/1hGhf3YKgt https://t.co/vhpXSF4DQv
Tag for now. #Colts will continue to work toward a long-term deal. https://t.co/5rlE85oowh
Colts officially are placing their franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who had a career-high 109 receptions and 1,152 yards this past season. Pittman has had a different starting quarterback in each of his four years with Indianapolis. https://t.co/XUiE8AzT5I
Colts to place franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., per @TomPelissero https://t.co/w9RSzkcFfE https://t.co/VAbGjvFcel
Colts are franchise tagging Michael Pittman Jr., per @TomPeliserro Pittman had 109 catches and 1,152 rec yards last season https://t.co/ecGjUmbQ5P
Colts placing franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman Jr. (via @tompelissero) https://t.co/2mad8Q7ElS
The Colts are placing the franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman Jr., per @TomPelissero. Both sides are still working on a long-term deal. https://t.co/5fR08GlLO6
The Indianapolis Colts plan to franchise tag Michael Pittman if they can't get a deal done #PMSLive https://t.co/5ArAOr5wNK
Never got the sense the sides were close on a long-term deal leading up to today, so the franchise tag always seemed like the likely option. #Colts make the move, now have until July to do a multi-year deal. https://t.co/ZCpgCP9PLH
The Colts are placing the Franchise Tag on Michael Pittman Jr, per @TomPelissero https://t.co/b9UY0kIJuk
The two sides will continue to talk... https://t.co/GuCNp62ah5
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: The #Colts are placing the franchise tag on Star WR Michael Pittman Jr, per @TomPelissero Gives them more time to work out a deal. https://t.co/xrmfjI1FpQ
Pelissero: Michael Pittman Jr. franchise tagged by the Colts.
The #Colts are placing the franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman Jr., per sources. The tag is worth $21.816M. The sides have been working on a long-term deal and those talks figure to continue. https://t.co/T4XLr7hElj
2024 NFL franchise tag tracker: Latest tag news as today's 4 p.m. ET deadline approaches https://t.co/kNjyPnhYGW https://t.co/7VVfkjXL3l
Report: The Indianapolis Colts plan to apply the franchise tag to WR Michael Pittman Jr. if they do not reach a deal before the 4 pm deadline, per @JFowlerESPN. https://t.co/DX8pDmHqpS
The #Colts plan to place the franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman if no deal reached by 4 p.m. deadline, per sources. Pays him $21.8M for 2024 -- but there's still time before the tag.
Pittman is a 26-year-old uber-talented WR who has mostly played with garbage QBs his entire career thus far and despite that has two 1,000-yard seasons and nearly a third. Thirty-one NFL teams would LOVE to see the #Colts let him go. https://t.co/s4wvf0tllI
2024 NFL franchise tag primer: Candidates to watch ahead of today's 4 p.m. ET deadline (via @judybattista) https://t.co/g1QqF8Hirp https://t.co/jCyQfRuW69
4 pm deadline for teams to use franchise tag. Without long-term deal, Colts expected to play tag with Michael Pittman Jr. One year tag = $21.8m. Stay tuned. 2 tags so far: *Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed *Bengals WR Tee Higgins https://t.co/3SjPpFquy1
Reminder: 4 p.m. is the NFL franchise tag deadline.
The tag deadline is today at 4 pm. Ballard laid his cards on the table last week. Colts want to get Pittman signed to a long-term deal by then - and I’ve been told they’re working toward that end - but if they can’t, Indy will make sure Pittman’s a Colt
2024 NFL franchise tag tracker: Latest tag news on deadline day https://t.co/kNjyPnhYGW https://t.co/4UM1NumDXH
Spotrac projects a 4 year, $100M contract extension for #Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr., including $40M guaranteed at signing & $50M locked in through 2026. FULL BREAKDOWN: https://t.co/OcsObvQN6C https://t.co/psobus1plU
#NFL Teams have until 4PM ET to designate a franchise or transition tag. Likely Tags WR M. Pittman Jr. (IND, $21.8M) DL J. Madubuike (BAL, $22.1M) LB J. Allen (JAX, $24M) LB B. Burns (CAR, $24M) CB J. Johnson (CHI, $19.8M) S A. Winfield Jr. (TB, $17.1M) https://t.co/5XzjeE9QJZ
One way or another, Colts general manager intends to keep WR Michael Pittman with Indianapolis https://t.co/pKjh8JjcsS https://t.co/bu6EnThouk