Steelers Acquire Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. in Trade

Pittsburgh sends late draft picks to Indianapolis for veteran receiver on new 3-year deal.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to acquire veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for late-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pittman, 28, signed a new 3-year, $59 million contract with the Steelers as part of the trade.

Why it matters

The trade gives the Steelers a proven, productive wide receiver to pair with star DK Metcalf in their passing attack, as they look to build on a strong 2025 season and make a Super Bowl push. For the Colts, the move allows them to free up salary cap space and focus on developing their younger receiving corps, led by the recently signed Alec Pierce.

The details

Pittman, a six-year NFL veteran, is coming off a 2025 season in which he caught 80 passes for 784 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Colts. He had a career-best 109 receptions for 1,152 yards and 4 scores in 2024. The Steelers will send a couple late-round picks in 2026 to the Colts as part of the trade.

  • The trade was agreed to on March 9, 2026.

The players

Michael Pittman Jr.

A 28-year-old wide receiver who has spent his entire 6-year NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts.

DK Metcalf

The star wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Alec Pierce

A young wide receiver who the Colts recently signed to a 4-year, $114 million contract.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to add a player of Michael's caliber to our offense. He's a proven playmaker who will complement DK Metcalf very well.”

— Mike Tomlin, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers (ESPN)

What’s next

The Steelers will look to quickly integrate Pittman into their offense as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

This trade represents a win-win for both the Steelers and Colts, as Pittsburgh adds a talented veteran receiver to pair with their star DK Metcalf, while Indianapolis clears salary cap space and focuses on developing their younger receiving corps.