Over the Cap places Indianapolis at roughly $35 million in available cap space, but improving the roster may require trimming payroll. One NFL writer has pointed to a potential cap-clearing move by trading a veteran, specifically highlighting a prominent wide receiver as a candidate to swap.
The trade target named for cap relief is Michael Pittman Jr., who is entering the final year of his three-year, $70 million contract and carries a $29 million cap hit in 2026. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine has suggested the Denver Broncos would benefit from adding Pittman Jr., presenting him as a top trade piece to help them push toward a championship.
Individually, Pittman’s role has evolved as Alec Pierce has emerged as the new No. 1 option in Indianapolis. Pierce posted his first 1,000-yard receiving season this year, and with Pittman likely to command around $20 million per year on a new deal, the Colts could clear substantial cap space by moving Pittman if they also prioritize keeping Pierce.
Retention of Daniel Jones could further influence the receiver equation, as Pierce indicated that remaining in Indianapolis would be easier if Jones stays in the fold. If the Colts pursue cap relief by trading Pittman and commit to Jones, keeping Pierce as the young, productive target would be a logical building block for the offense.
This scenario was analyzed in Heavy Sports under the headline Colts $70 Million Weapon Floated In-Conference Trade Idea, illustrating a possible path to balance the cap while preserving core offensive pieces. The discussion reflects one viewpoint on aligning Jones’s future with a retooled, cost-conscious receiving corps.
