Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman is used to leading the squad in targets.
He has done so again through three matches of the 2024 season with 20 looks his way.
What is he used to? Those targets led to little production, something he said cannot affect him or the Colts plans of winning.
“Yeah, you have to fight it because if that gets to you, then you start playing bad,” Pittman said, via Fox59’s Mike Chappell. “You start doing too much. You’ve gotta fight that off and just know that it is a team sport. As long as we win games, it’s good. You have to put [the frustrations] aside.
“Obviously, we want to do more. I want to do a lot more. But you have to do what you’re asked to do and just be a good teammate.”
So far in the new season, Pittman’s 20 targets are almost double of the next Colts player (Alec Pierce, 12).
He has turned that into only 88 yards on 11 catches. His 8.0 yards per reception comes in 1.3 yards off his worst-ever season total. His 55.0 catch percentage is currently 10.6% lower than his 2020 rookie season, his worst in that category.
Pittman’s numbers across the board are far off from his career rates, not to mention down from last season. He has a 109-catch, a 1,152-yard campaign that is his best to date. This led to his three-year, $70 million extension over the summer.
Pittman surpassed his present three-game yardage total in five different standalone contests last season, one of which came during Anthony Richardson’s first start as a rookie.
Although, this year, the connection hasn’t been there as Richardson greatly struggled with his precision. He only made four starts in 2023 before he lost his campaign to an injury. He has not completed more than half his passes in any tournaments this term, plus he leads the NFL with six interceptions.
The Colts’ have enjoyed more success on the ground behind Richardson’s scrambles and running back Jonathan Taylor’s steady contributions, surpassing 100 yards rushing as a team weekly.
During their first win of the year in Week 3 over the Chicago Bears, the scales heavily swung that way, as the offense scored 33 run plays compared to 20 passes.
Pittman knows that will be the winning formula sometimes.
“I think Travis Kelce said it the best,” he said. “You have to be unselfish with the type of team we are right now. Just knowing we’re going to do what is going to win us games and we’re going to do whatever that is.
“Some games it could be a passing attack. Some games it could be a run attack. Man, it’s all about winning the game. As long as we’re winning games, you kind of put your head down and just keep going.”
He also understands that there is enough football ahead to correct his current lull. The Colts will figure out their best balance to stay competitive, with more chances hopefully leading to more ease for Richardson behind center.
That in turn could lead to better days ahead for the fifth-year wide receiver, who has consistently proven that he can adjust to change and deliver.
“We’re just being patient,” Pittman said. “We are committed to getting better each day and opportunities are going to come. When they do, we have to make the most of them.”
