Colts trade Michael Pittman Jr. to Steelers, who give wideout new deal

• The Indianapolis Colts traded wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Following the trade, Pittman agreed to a three-year, $59 million deal with Pittsburgh.
• The trade saved the Colts $24 million in salary cap space for the upcoming season.
• Pittman recorded 80 catches for 784 yards and a career-high 7 touchdowns last season.

This story has been updated to correct a typo.

The Indianapolis Colts paid Alec Pierce (four-year deal) and are willing to cash out Daniel Jones.

The odd man out became wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., whom the Colts traded Monday to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon. The person was granted anonymity because the trade cannot become official until the new league year begins Wednesday.

The teams are swapping late-round picks, according to ESPN.

Pittman, 28, joins a Pittsburgh receiving corps led by DK Metcalf. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Colts, who drafted him in the second round (34th overall) in the 2020 draft.

Michael Pittman Steelers contract details, why Colts traded him

Pittman agreed to a three-year, $59 million deal with Pittsburgh following the trade. Trading Pittman saved the Colts $24 million in cap space and cost them $5 million in dead money for this season.

The Southern Cal product caught 80 passes for 784 receiving yards and a career-high 7 touchdowns last season. His most productive campaign was 2023 when he had 109 catches for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns.

The Steelers have been expected to reunite with 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Running back Kenneth Gainwell led the team in catches last season.