Indianapolis Colts might already regret trading Michael Pittman Jr.

The NFL offseason featured several surprising trades, including the Indianapolis Colts’ decision to send star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The move gave Pittsburgh a proven playmaker and solidified the WR2 role the team had desperately needed to address.

>For the Colts, the trade signaled a full commitment to Alec Pierce. Indianapolis doubled down on that belief by signing Pierce to a massive contract extension on the first day of free agency. However, the decision to move on from Pittman may already be raising concerns.

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>Reports indicate Pierce underwent ankle surgery in April, and his recovery timeline could put his availability for the start of the regular season in question. Pierce has said his goal is to return late in training camp, but his status remains uncertain.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) celebrates with wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) after Jones scores a touchdown during a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in IndianapolisAt the time, trading Pittman made sense. The Colts were committing to Pierce as their future at wide receiver, creating valuable cap space, and receiving draft compensation in return. However, beyond Pierce, Indianapolis now finds itself in a situation similar to the one Pittsburgh faced for the past two seasons—a lack of proven depth at wide receiver.

Swapping dilemmas?Josh Downs is a talented young receiver on the rise, but he has yet to establish himself as a true WR2, let alone a WR1. If Pierce misses time, Downs would likely be thrust into a larger role than the Colts originally envisioned. Indianapolis still has offensive weapons in tight end Tyler Warren and running back Jonathan Taylor, but neither solves the potential void at wide receiver.

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>It’s fair to wonder whether the Colts simply inherited the same receiver-room problem they helped solve for the Steelers. The situation is compounded by the fact that Indianapolis entered the draft without a first-round pick, limiting its ability to secure a potential replacement for Pittman.

Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) makes the catch and dives short of the end zone Houston Texans during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn ImagesThere is still plenty of time before the season begins, and Pierce could return healthy and pick up right where he left off last year. If his recovery lingers into mid-August, however, the Colts may face difficult questions about their decision-making.

>Should that happen, many fans will wonder whether trading Pittman instead of finding a way to keep both receivers was a costly mistake.