Michael Pittman would be wiser investment than Davante Adams

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 04: Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. #11 of the Indianapolis Colts gets his fingers on a pass in the end zone but cannot pull it in for a touchdown during the NFL game between Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts on January 4, 2026, at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Indianapolis Colts are considering a release of receiver Michael Pittman according to The Athletic and if that happens the Los Angeles Rams must consider how much better their long-term investments at the position would be with him instead of Davante Adams. The 28-year-old Pittman was headed for a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown season prior to Daniel Jones's injury as he had to wade through Indy's downtrodden second half at quarterback with Philip Rivers and Riley Leonard.

Pairing Pittman with Matthew Stafford and as a complement to Puka Nacua could really setup L.A.'s offense for a few more years and not just however many more games left that Adams has in the tank. Which at age 34 can't be many.

: Colts veteran WR Michael Pittman could be a cap casualty for the Colts this offseason, a move that could free up over $24M in cap space, per @TheAthletic

Alec Pierce, Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren have emerged as the key contributors on offense for Indy. pic.twitter.com/l7hsZO0pvC

- JPA (@jasrifootball) February 17, 2026

Releasing Adams would save the Rams $14 million in cap space, more than enough to sign Pittman and still have savings left on the 2026 cap.

If Adams decides to continue to playing and it's not in L.A., there's certainly a chance that a team would be interested in trading for the 2025 touchdown leader. The problem isn't the red zone, it's everything that happens outside of that area and merely the fact that there isn't an older starting receiver in the league.

Davante Adams caught just 56% of his targets outside of the 20 and yet commanded so much of Stafford's attention that at times those throws were a detriment to the offense, not a help. Just imagine if the receiver was someone with a 72% catch rate last year, like Pittman.

And Pittman is also 6 years younger than Adams.

Colts ranked 1st in EPA and success rate in 2-WR sets last season

Alec Pierce 86% snap share
Michael Pittman 80%
Josh Downs 10%

Would be suprised if they let Pierce walk and dealt Pittman

- Football Insights (@fball_insights) February 17, 2026

Adams missed a few games late in the year due to injury.

Pittman has only missed three games in the last five years.

Pittman ended the season with 784 yards and 7 touchdowns (Adams had 789 and 14) but was on track for a much better season with Daniel Jones:

• Pittman had 643 yards and 7 TD on 84 attempts from Jones
• Pittman had 157 yards and 0 TD on 27 attempts from Rivers and Leonard

With a better quarterback, a better play caller, and Puka Nacua commanding attention from the other side, the former early second round pick out of USC could clear his third career 1,000-yard season in 2026 and possibly much more.

The Rams have $44.5 million in cap space (roughly) but could clear even more with a restructure of A.J. Jackson, a release of Darious Williams, and possibly the aforementioned release of Adams.

Just a year ago this team wasted $10 million on Tutu Atwell. Money like that could be much better spent on Pittman.