Chris Ballard stated that efforts will be made to bring Michael Pittman back into the team.

Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is set to enter free agency this offseason after completing the final year of his rookie contract. This week, Pittman expressed his intention to explore all options for the best fit as he moves forward in his career.

Despite Pittman’s openness to exploring other opportunities, General Manager Chris Ballard, who values their honest and competitive relationship, expressed a strong desire to keep Pittman in Indianapolis. Ballard emphasized his deep care for Pittman and the team’s commitment to working towards bringing him back. He acknowledged that retaining Pittman might come with a significant cost but emphasized the team’s determination to keep a valuable player like Pittman, hoping he remains with the Colts.

Ballard also acknowledged the dynamic nature of the market for top receivers, comparing it to the fluctuating gas prices, stating that regardless of the circumstances, the team must ensure it has the necessary resources. While he expressed a preference against using the franchise tag, Ballard did not rule it out entirely, leaving it as an option to secure Pittman’s presence with the Colts for the 2024 season.