Denver Broncos Pursue Offensive Revamp with Potential Michael Pittman Jr. Trade:
The Denver Broncos have been active in their quest to reshape their offense this offseason, making significant changes to their running back lineup. The team welcomed rookie RJ Harvey, a second-round draft pick, alongside veteran free agent JK Dobbins, aiming to inject new life into their ground game. However, while the supporting cast around second-year quarterback Bo Nix appears promising, lingering concerns about the team’s receiving corps remain.
Strengthening the Pass-Catching Unit
The Broncos made strides to bolster their offense by acquiring Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram, who joined the team after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars in March. Additionally, the selection of Illinois receiver Pat Bryant in the third round of the recent draft reflects the team’s commitment to enhancing their pass-catching options. Despite these additions, there is a growing sentiment that the Broncos may need to pursue one or two high-profile players to truly compete with AFC West rivals like the Kansas City Chiefs and the rising Los Angeles Chargers.
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards recently highlighted “wide receiver” as the most pressing issue for the Broncos as they approach training camp. Edwards noted, “Wide receiver has a lot of youth and there is confidence in Payton’s ability to make it work, but there is not a lot in that room other teams would be tripping over themselves to acquire.” This assessment underscores the urgency for the Broncos to consider adding another marquee name to their receiving corps.
Michael Pittman Jr.: A Trade Target?
One player that could fit the bill is Michael Pittman Jr. of the Indianapolis Colts. Once viewed as a cornerstone of the Colts’ offense, Pittman experienced a challenging 2024 season, finishing with just 808 receiving yards—the lowest total since his rookie year in 2019. As his contract escalates, with cap hits of $23 million and $29 million over the next two years of his three-year, $70 million deal, the Colts may find themselves weighing the merits of a trade.
While these figures are manageable in today’s high-salary landscape, the Colts face uncertainty at the quarterback position, making it possible they could look to shift their WR1. With younger talents like Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, and Alec Pierce ready to step up, trading Pittman could provide them with the opportunity to develop their emerging wideouts.
Acquiring Pittman could significantly impact the Broncos’ offensive dynamics, provided he returns to form. His blend of size, speed, and playmaking ability could complement the existing talent on the roster, potentially transforming the Broncos’ passing game into a more formidable threat. The question remains: will the Broncos make the bold move to secure a player of Pittman’s caliber, or will they continue to rely on their developing talent as they strive to close the gap with their AFC West counterparts?
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Denver to see how they navigate this pivotal moment in their pursuit of success.
