Raiders, 49ers, Commanders could have interest in Colts $70 million cut candidate

The Indianapolis Colts have some big decisions to make this offseason.

Most of the attention is rightly on the quarterback position, where the Colts have to decide what to do with Daniel Jones, who is coming off an Achilles tear as he prepares to hit free agency following a season that saw him revive his career.

However, wide receiver is another position of note for Indy. Alec Pierce is set to be a free agent and it's clear the Colts want to bring him back.

Pierce is going to command a hefty payday as one of the most attractive options at wide receiver in free agency, which would leave the Colts paying big money to two wide receivers when you include Michael Pittman Jr.'s $70 million contract.

In order to avoid that scenario and bring Pierce back, The Athletic's James Boyd thinks the Colts could cut Pittman this offseason. Here's Boyd's full thoughts on Pittman being a cut candidate:

Pittman totaled a career-high seven receiving TDs in 2025, but also had just 784 receiving yards, which was his lowest mark since his rookie season in 2020. The veteran wideout, who turns 29 in October, has a $29 million cap hit in 2026. There is no way Indianapolis will pay him that salary, especially after Alec Pierce supplanted him as the team’s No. 1 receiver. Pittman could either restructure his contract to reduce his salary and remain with the Colts, or they could release him. The latter choice would create $24 million in cap space with just $5 million in dead money.

Since signing his extension in 2024, Pittman's production has been lackluster. Over his last 34 games, Pittman has totaled 1,592 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns and has failed to break the 1,000-yard mark over the last two years.

Poor quarterback play has no doubt been a problem for Pittman, but even with elevated play from under center last season, he still posted a down campaign.

With Pierce supplanting Pittman as Jones' No. 1 target in 2025, it's very realistic to think the Colts could opt to cut Pittman in order to keep Pierce.

But better days could be ahead for the 28-year-old, who could very well return to his 1,000-yard days with a change of scenery and improved chemistry with a different signal-caller.

If Pittman hits the open market, three teams that could have interest are the Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders.

The Raiders have the worst wide receiver situation of the three teams. Las Vegas does not have a No. 1 wideout, and their depth is seriously lacking, which is a massive problem with the team set to draft Fernando Mendoza.

The 49ers have Ricky Pearsall under contract, but Brandon Aiyuk is going to be cut or traded and Jauan Jennings is a pending free agent and NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco doesn't think he'll be back.

As for Washington, they still have Terry McLaurin, but Deebo Samuel will be a free agent and the rest of the wide receivers room leaves a lot to be desired, especially with the team needing a bounce-back year from Jayden Daniels.

Pittman would be a strong fit with any three of those teams. He would instantly be the Raiders' No. 1 option, assuming the team doesn't make any bigger moves, and the same can be said for his role in San Francisco.

In Washington, Pittman would be Daniels' No. 2 option behind McLaurin and the two veteran wideouts would form one of the better one-two punches in the NFL.

We like the fit with the Raiders the most. Pittman might like the idea of being the No. 1 in Las Vegas, and he would be an invaluable asset for a young quarterback like Mendoza.

The Raiders may also be willing to pay Pittman more than other teams thanks to their boatload of cap space and desperate need for more weapons in the passing game.

If Mendoza proves to be the real deal and head coach Klint Kubiak is in his bag, we could see Pittman returning to the 1,000-yard receiver he once was.

More NFL News

• Raiders rumor gives new life to Jim Schwartz joining Las Vegas
• Maxx Crosby trade rumors offer mixed news for Cowboys, Eagles, Pats, Seahawks
• Bills $29M cut candidate could draw interest from Broncos, Browns, Ravens
• Seahawks, Commanders, Texans could have interest in Titans cut candidate
• What Kenneth Walker franchise tag rumor means for future with Seahawks
• Steelers, Vikings could have interest in Raiders $75M cut candidate