INDIANAPOLIS — Colts general manager Chris Ballard offered a succinct but bold prediction when asked Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine whether impending free agent receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will be on the roster next season. .
“Yes,” Ballard said, without the slightest hesitation.
It was a meaningful, if brief, answer to a critical question facing Indianapolis. Pittman, the Colts' top wide receiver the past three seasons, will become a free agent in the coming weeks after finishing his rookie contract.
But given Pittman's preference for testing the open market, the only way to truly guarantee Pittman remains on the roster for the 2024 season is to franchise tag the 2020 second-round pick. NFL teams have until next Tuesday at 4 pm ET to designate a franchise player.
The non-exclusive franchise tag allows players to negotiate with other clubs, but eliminates their unrestricted status because the player's original team retains the right to match a competitive offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation if the player signs with another club. The annual salary for a franchise wide receiver this year is $21.816 million.
Regarding the idea of using the tag, which the Colts haven't used since drafting former punter Pat McAfee in 2013, Ballard said: “It's a tool we have. I'm not going to say we're not going to use it. “But I'm not going to say we are. Hopefully we can come to an agreement and find some compromise on an agreement.”
Ballard said those talks are underway with Pittman's representatives, but reaching an agreement could prove challenging, especially before Tuesday. Pittman has expressed a desire to maximize his free agency, recently saying, “I wouldn't be doing my due diligence if I didn't explore all the options and find the best fit.”
On Wednesday, Ballard said: “We have had conversations with [Pittman’s] agent, which is really good… We will work hard to reach an agreement.”
Pittman's value to the Colts has long been clear. The 26-year-old has averaged 99 receptions and 1,053 yards over the past three seasons, during which he played with six different starting quarterbacks.
Ballard and his staff will presumably consult with owner Jim Irsay during negotiations with Pittman, according to a health update Ballard offered Wednesday.
“He's progressing well. We're talking,” Ballard said of Irsay, who was recently hospitalized with what the Colts described as a respiratory illness.
“Shane [Steichen] and I have spoken to him several times and we keep him up to date with anything. Look, at the end of the day, we're not going to do anything without his approval, so we'll still keep you informed. I mean, you know him. He wants to know. He loves his team. He is doing his way and he is doing it well. He's getting better.”
All of that is notable given Irsay's recent health problems, which caused widespread concern throughout the organization and among those close to the longtime owner. Irsay had not been involved in the day-to-day management of the team for many weeks, sources told ESPN. Earlier this month, Irsay posted on X that he was “getting better. Grateful for all the messages of love and support.”
It's still unclear what health challenges, if any, remain for Irsay in his recovery, but his involvement in team affairs is an indication that things are headed in a positive direction. Concerns about Irsay were compounded by recent news that he was found unresponsive in his home in early December and rushed to the hospital in what police described as a suspected overdose.
