Training camp is officially underway, and Michael Pittman Jr. is ready to move on from vacation mode. The 28-year-old wide receiver posted a collection of offseason photos on Instagram Monday, then made it clear where his head is at now.
“OS 26 was a movie. Ready to clock TF IN!” Pittman wrote.
That kind of energy is exactly what the Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping for from their new pass-catcher. The team acquired Pittman from the Indianapolis Colts back in March, sending a sixth-round pick and getting back a seventh-rounder along with the receiver. He quickly signed a three-year, $59 million extension, locking himself into the Steelers offense for the foreseeable future.
Now he’s building chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, who came to Pittsburgh with something to prove after a short stint with the Jets. Rodgers is 41 and talking openly about wanting to go out on his own terms. Having a reliable target like Pittman should help.
Fans are already buying in. The comments on Pittman’s post were a mix of Colts fans who still love him and Steelers fans who can’t wait to see him in black and gold.
“Need more this season, Pitt,” said one follower.
“Pulling hard for you this season from Indy. One of my favorite players of all time, and I’ll always cheer for you. Tear it up in Pittsburgh,” wrote another.
Pittman spent six seasons with the Colts. Last year he caught 80 passes for 784 yards and a career-best seven touchdowns. That production came while dealing with inconsistent quarterback play in Indianapolis. The hope in Pittsburgh is that Rodgers can get him the ball more consistently downfield.
The Steelers receiving room is starting to take shape. DK Metcalf is the clear WR1 after coming over from Seattle. Roman Wilson, a second-year pro out of Michigan, is expected to start opposite him. Pittman likely slots into the slot role or rotates in as the third option, which is still a very useful gig in an offense that needs reliable hands. Germie Bernard is a name to watch in camp too. If he shows out, he could push for snaps as a dark horse.
Pittsburgh also signed running back Rico Dowdle to a two-year deal, giving Rodgers another check-down option and someone who can catch out of the backfield.
There’s a lot of pressure on this Steelers offense. The defense has carried the team for years, but the front office made it clear this offseason that they’re all in on giving Rodgers weapons. The Pittman trade was part of that. So was the Metcalf trade. So was the Dowdle signing.
Now it’s about timing and trust. Pittman and Rodgers have been putting in work this summer, and that connection is going to be tested early in the season. The Steelers open against a tough schedule, so they need their new pieces to hit the ground running.
Rodgers has made a career out of elevating receivers who maybe weren’t household names until he got his hands on them. Pittman isn’t that — he’s a proven veteran with a 1,000-yard season on his resume. But if the two click, this could be the kind of late-career partnership that pushes both of them into one last big run.
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