Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. took it upon himself to address his frustrations following the team’s tough loss against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7. Pittman Jr. voluntarily met with reporters in the locker room to provide clarity.
Pittman’s long-standing frustrations became evident through comments like, “They just didn’t target me for whatever reason. Maybe I’m not a big part of the offense.” While some fans were taken aback by this expression of frustration, the majority of the fanbase read between the lines and understood that Pittman Jr. is a passionate competitor who is never content. The emotional conclusion to an unexpected thriller heightened tensions, and it was clear that satisfaction remained elusive.
It’s worth noting that MPJ has worked with 7 (!) different quarterbacks in his 3.5 seasons in Indianapolis, yet he has consistently been a reliable member of the offense. Pittman Jr. himself quickly recognized this and, as mentioned earlier, took it upon himself to set the record straight.
The voluntary nature of his response and his self-awareness confirmed the fanbase’s belief that Pittman Jr. was primarily frustrated with the team’s inability to secure a win. Despite officiating issues, especially in light of team owner Jim Irsay’s recent report acknowledging officiating errors, Pittman Jr. chose not to dwell on it and instead opted for a humble approach, admitting that his previous comments about not being a significant part of the offense were unwarranted.
He stated, “It was a very frustrating loss the way that it happened. And I’ve never been a good loser. I’m actually a very poor sport. It’s something that I’ve been working on my whole life, and it’s just hard for me sometimes. When you lose, sometimes you lose your composure, and you lose your head. I think I was a little dramatic when I said that. Obviously, I am a big part of this offense; I lead the team in targets (and similar stats). It was out of frustration, and I just wanted to clarify that I love playing here. I love Indy and everything that we do here.”
While some may speculate that Pittman Jr. only clarified his statements due to his agent’s advice, those close to the organization were not surprised by his recent actions.
In a contract year, Michael Pittman Jr. has further demonstrated his value in 2023. He currently ranks 9th in the NFL in targets (65), 12th in receptions (42), and 16th in receiving yards with 489.
