New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen must ensure the John Harbaugh era starts strong. However, everything starts with putting promising young quarterback Jaxson Dart in the best position to build on his exciting rookie campaign.
All the hype surrounding Harbaugh's hiring as the 21st head coach of the Giants means nothing if Dart doesn't continue to develop. For that to happen, New York must go out and get the latter help on offense.
The Giants' underwhelming pass-catching corps was evident throughout Dart's first NFL season when star wide receiver Malik Nabers suffered a torn ACL and meniscus. Wan'Dale Robinson was a bright spot, though his pending unrestricted free agency looms largely over the club's offseason plans. Either way, New York could benefit from having another mouth to feed.
Luckily for Schoen, Harbaugh, and Dart, there will be opportunities to make meaningful upgrades. More specifically, Indianapolis Colts standout wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. might become an option in due course.
Giants may have a path to landing Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman is currently slated to enter the final season of the three-year, $70 million contract extension he signed with Indianapolis in March 2024. Nevertheless, his bloated $29 million 2026 dead cap hit has raised valid questions about what comes next. The Colts can create $24 million in cap savings while only leaving behind $5 million in dead money by cutting him.
It's easy to see why Pittman's future is in serious doubt. The Colts have several key contributors set to hit the open market in March, namely fellow wideout Alec Pierce. Sacrifices must be made somewhere, as Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine highlighted:
"It's never easy to let good talent walk out the door, so it would be tough for the Colts to outright release Michael Pittman Jr.," Ballentine wrote. "But his contract and the team's financial situation should make it a consideration.
[Colts general manager] Chris Ballard and [head coach] Shane Steichen might be forced to make a decision between Pittman and Alec Pierce. The latter is set to become a free agent and was the more productive receiver this season."
Well, one man's trash is another's treasure. A proven pass-catcher becomes available if the Colts choose to retain Pierce at the expense of Pittman. Schoen and rival front offices should certainly monitor this situation.
Despite expressing a desire to stay in Indy, Pittman ostensibly knows his fate. He acknowledged that“every player is self-aware" and “changes come” when results and expectations don't quite meet following the Colts' 2025 regular-season finale. This puts their entire locker room under fire, including him, one of the squad's longest-tenured members