Steelers land Pittman
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded for WR Michael Pittman from the Colts, sending a 2026 sixth-round pick — Pittman then signed a three-year, $59 million deal as Pittsburgh rebuilds its receiving corps. (espn.com)
The Steelers’ outgoing selection in the move was compensatory sixth‑round pick No. 214, and the Colts sent back Pittsburgh’s 2026 seventh‑round choice, No. 230. (colts.com) That No. 214 selection came from the NFL’s compensatory allotment the Steelers received for 2026 after last offseason’s free‑agent departures, the team announced. (steelers.com) Indianapolis cleared about $24 million in 2026 salary‑cap room by moving the contract situation, a figure league reporters cited as a driver of the transaction. (espn.com) The Colts used that cap flexibility immediately, re‑signing wideout Alec Pierce to a four‑year deal and finalizing a two‑year, roughly $88 million extension to keep quarterback Daniel Jones in place. (espn.com) (nfl.com) Pittman’s 2025 totals were 80 receptions for 784 yards and seven touchdowns across 17 games, figures Indianapolis’ official release reiterated when it made the trade public. (colts.com) Cap analytics published after the move show Pittsburgh reworked Pittman’s pay structure — converting most of his 2026 cash into a large signing‑bonus proration, leaving a $1.3 million base for 2026, roughly $22.7 million in signing‑bonus proration and about $24 million guaranteed, producing an ~$8.87 million 2026 cap charge per Spotrac’s breakdown. (spotrac.com) Despite sending that compensatory sixth, Pittsburgh still enters the 2026 draft with 12 total selections — including comp picks at Nos. 99, 135, 214 and 216 — a haul the front office can use to restock or flip for roster moves. (steelers.com)
