Patriots Missed Out on Acquiring Colts Wide Receiver

The team could have landed Michael Pittman Jr. for a sixth-round pick, but passed on the opportunity.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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According to reports, the New England Patriots were interested in acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts, but ultimately missed out on the deal. The Colts ended up trading Pittman and a seventh-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a sixth-round selection, a deal the Patriots could have matched or exceeded. The Patriots had been seeking receiving help to replace Stefon Diggs, but apparently deemed Pittman's price tag too high despite having multiple sixth-round picks to work with.

Why it matters

The Patriots' inability to land Pittman is seen as a missed opportunity, as the young receiver has emerged as a top target for the Colts. With Diggs gone, the Patriots' receiving corps feels short on proven pass-catching talent, and they may have been able to fill that void by acquiring Pittman at a relatively low cost.

The details

The Steelers acquired Pittman and a seventh-round pick from the Colts in exchange for a sixth-round selection, and then promptly signed Pittman to a three-year, $59 million contract. Meanwhile, the Patriots were reportedly willing to go up to around $27 million to acquire Alec Pierce from the Colts, but ultimately deemed that price too high. With four sixth-round picks in the upcoming draft, the Patriots could have potentially matched or exceeded the Steelers' offer for Pittman.

  • On March 10, 2026, the Colts traded Pittman and a seventh-round pick to the Steelers for a sixth-round selection.
  • Prior to the trade, the Patriots were reportedly interested in acquiring Pittman but passed on the opportunity.

The players

Michael Pittman Jr.

A wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March 2026.

New England Patriots

An NFL team that was reportedly interested in acquiring Pittman but ultimately missed out on the deal.

Alec Pierce

A wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts that the Patriots were reportedly willing to pay around $27 million to acquire, but ultimately deemed the price too high.

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What they’re saying

“The more I think about it, the stronger I feel: the Patriots whiffed on acquiring one of potential receivers from the Indianapolis Colts.”

— Tony Massarotti, Co-host of Felger & Mazz on 98.5 The Sports Hub (985thesportshub.com)

What’s next

The Patriots will likely continue to search for receiving help in the upcoming draft and free agency, as they look to bolster their offense and replace the production lost with Stefon Diggs' departure.

The takeaway

This missed opportunity highlights the Patriots' ongoing challenge to rebuild their receiving corps and find reliable pass-catching threats to complement their offense. The team's inability to land Pittman, a young and talented wideout, could prove costly if they are unable to adequately address this need in the offseason.