Why the Steelers Trade for a Versatile 28-Year-Old Wide Receiver Was a Great Move
The Steelers finally have the wide receiver that they’ve been in need of for a few years. During the NFL legal tampering period earlier this week, there was talk about the Steelers potentially signing Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The Colts re-signed wide receiver Alec Pierce to a four-year, $116 million contract, which didn’t bode well for Pittman. On Wednesday, the Steelers officially traded a late-round draft pick for Pittman. They traded a sixth-round draft pick for Pittman and a seventh-round pick. The veteran wide receiver signed a three-year, $59 million deal with the Steelers. That equates to an average of $19.67 million per year.
Pro Football Focus’s Mason Cameron named the trade as one of the five best free agency moves so far in 2026. He pointed out that Pierce’s contract with the Colts has an average annual value of $29 million. Cameron noted, “Even at over $19.6 million per year on average, the deal looks like a discount compared to Pierce’s contract and the receiver market as a whole.” Pittman is a reliable receiver. Cameron added, “The move provides the Steelers with a proven second option behind D.K. Metcalf, as well as a complementary skill set. Pittman is a chain-moving possession receiver, ranking in the top 20 in first-down receptions over the past three seasons while posting a 93.8% catch rate on catchable passes. Pittsburgh gets a consistent performer in the receiving game, with Pittman producing a 70.0-plus PFF receiving grade in five of his six NFL seasons.” Pittman had a career-high seven-touchdown season in 2025. He also had 80 receptions for 784 yards.
Pittman is known for his reliability and versatility. The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo believes that the 28-year-old is a perfect fit for Mike McCarthy’s offense. DeFabo noted, “Stylistically, Pittman also fits the West Coast offense that Mike McCarthy runs and Aaron Rodgers has thrived in.” He reported, “Pittman ran the 10th-most hitch routes in the NFL last year, according to TruMedia, a staple route in the West Coast offense. He’s also been productive with a high volume of crossing routes, digs, and other in-breaking routes that target the parts of the field where Rodgers would want to throw.” Steeler Nation’s Brogan Noey gave a quick definition of a West Coast offense, “Any quick synopsis of this style of play will say that the passing game is focused on quick and efficient passes that have a high percentage of being completed.” He added, “A primary goal of this style of offense is to use quick, efficient passes and the running game to bring the defense forward, while then trying to stretch the field vertically.” The veteran wide receiver has had a great deal of success with route concepts that are part of the West Coast offensive scheme. According to BVM Sports, Pittman ran the dig route significantly more than Steelers receivers Metcalf and Calvin Austin III combined during the 2025 season. He’s also been successful over the middle. Pittman can make tough catches in traffic, too.
Pittman is six-foot-four and weighs 223 pounds. He’ll be able to take some attention off of Metcalf. On his Not Just Football podcast on Wednesday, Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward shared that he’s excited to see how Pittman and Metcalf fit together. He said, “I think they both have big bodies, and to put them together on the field, now you have two guys who you have to put a lot of attention on them. This opens up Pat Freiermuth a little bit more. This opens up Darnell Washington. DK shouldn’t have to experience more double teams, unless you’re just double-teaming both of them, and then that’s when mismatches start to happen all over the place.”
Pittman embraces the hard work ethic that the Steelers are known for. Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan in Indianapolis appeared on Tim Benz’s Breakfast with Benz podcast on Tuesday. When asked about what kind of player Pittman is, Bowen replied, “He is a tough, hard-nosed wide receiver. There’s no USC pretty boy in him, even though he is a USC product. You can very clearly see that his dad was a 10-year veteran in the NFL playing running back.” According to Bowen, Pittman gives off “Hines Ward vibes.”
On Wednesday, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones made an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. He spoke about the trade. He said, “First, just obviously bummed to see Pitt go. He was a, you know, tremendous leader, obviously a great player, extremely productive, and a guy you can count on, as tough as they come. Always being out there, wish him the best, I know he’ll crush it.”
Even though it hasn’t been announced yet, many members of the media have made it clear that they expect veteran quarterback Rodgers to return to the Steelers for another season. Various analysts believe that Pittman is a strong match for Rodgers. The 28-year-old is consistently where the quarterback expects him to be within his routes. On Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s James Palmer shared his thoughts about the trade. He explained, “I like the Michael Pittman trade, I really do. I think if Aaron Rodgers comes back, which a lot of people do believe he will, I think he’s a really good fit for Aaron, honestly. He’s a professional receiver, he does everything right. I think he’s a really good fit for what Aaron likes to do. I think that was a sneaky move, that actually really benefited them quite a bit.”
In conclusion, there are many reasons why the trade for Pittman was a great move. The Steelers only had to use a draft pick to acquire him from the Colts. Considering the current receiver market, the average annual value for his contract is reasonable. The NFL veteran is a versatile and reliable wide receiver with a proven track record. Like the Steelers, Pittman is gritty. He’s also an excellent fit for McCarthy’s West Coast offense. With the addition of Pittman, the Steelers have a more balanced offense. He’ll take some of the pressure off of Metcalf. It will be interesting to watch him play for the Steelers.
