Who Should I Start? Michael Pittman Jr. or Ja'Marr Chase

Friday, January 16, 5:21 PM

The Athletic's James Boyd writes that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. sits atop the list of potential big names that the Colts could part with this offseason due to salary considerations, mutual decision, or poor performance. Pittman pretty much admitted after the season finale in Week 18 that he could have played his last game with the team. He has a $29 million salary cap hit in 2026, but the Colts would clear $24 million in cap space with only $5 million in dead money if they release him. Boyd thinks Pittman will either have to restructure his contract with Indy or play elsewhere next season. The sense is that Pittman doesn't want to leave, but Alec Pierce took over as the Colts' top wideout in 2025, with Pittman catching 80 passes for 784 yards (second-fewest of his career), although he did have a career-high seven touchdowns.

Sunday, January 4, 9:49 PM

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had a big game in his team's 20-18 Week 18 loss to the Cleveland Browns, recording eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. The 25-year-old had another excellent season in 2025, hauling in 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns on 185 targets across 16 games played. Across seven games started by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Chase averaged 106 receiving yards per contest and recorded four touchdown grabs. Chase has been named to the Pro Bowl in all five of his NFL seasons and could be on his way to a second consecutive All-Pro selection. As long as he makes it through the offseason healthy, Chase figures to be one of the first wide receivers off the board in fantasy drafts heading into the 2026 season.