The reason the Colts had to franchise tag Michael Pittman Jr.

The significance of this

While some teams have elected to use the franchise tag many times over the years, this was the first time in over a decade that the Colts used it. The last time was in 2013, when they used it on punter Pat McAfee.

The Colts and Pittman Jr.'s team worked towards a contract extension, and I was told those conversations "were fruitful." The Colts were optimistic that a deal would be agreed upon before the franchise tag deadline. In the end, Pittman Jr. and his team felt holding off on an extension and receiving the non-exclusive tag was best.

What happens next?

After receiving the non-exclusive franchise tag, Pittman Jr. will be able to speak with teams as if he were a free agent. If he were to come to an agreement with another team, the Colts would have the right to match the said offer; for example, if Pittman Jr. signed a four year, 100-million-dollar contract with another team and the Colts matched, that would be his extension. If they did not match the contract, Pittman Jr. would join his new team, and two first-round picks would be sent to the Colts from said team.

NFL teams are typically reluctant to even attempt to negotiate with players who receive the non-exclusive tag. For example, reigning MVP Lamar Jackson received it last offseason, and not a single team even pursued the talented QB, who was only 26 years old at the time. And Jackson had already had an MVP season to his name. While the revolving door at QB has clearly affected Pittman Jr. during his career, he has yet to even make a Pro Bowl.

Only time will tell if a team steps up to bat and attempts to sign Pittman Jr. to an offer sheet that they believe the Colts would not match. But my personal prediction is that the Colts and Pittman Jr. will come to terms on an extension on their own without another team having to be included. My prediction is that the two sides will agree to a four-year, 104-million-dollar contract that is front-loaded with a significant amount guaranteed and a generous signing bonus.