Daniel Jones contract saga could allow the Jets to swoop in on Colts WR

The Indianapolis Colts and Daniel Jones were unable to find common ground on a long-term contract extension by the franchise tag deadline, forcing the Colts to use the transition tag on their quarterback, the first time it had been used on a signal caller since 1996.

The Colts will now hope that another team can provide Jones with an offer sheet he's satisfied with, so they can match and retain their starting quarterback.

The problem is, Indianapolis isn't exactly flush with cap space. Over the Cap has the Colts with -$4.7 million heading into free agency, and they're going to have to make room for Jones' contract that will almost certainly surpass $40 million in average annual value.

With Indianapolis looking to clear some space, could the New York Jets swoop in and take a large contract off their hands?

Jets could target cash-strapped Colts' WR Michael Pittman Jr.

Given the Colts' precarious situation, veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., whose set to count for $29 million against the cap in 2026, could be a casualty. Given that new offensive coordinator Frank Reich was the head coach in Indianapolis when Pittman was drafted, could the Jets look to target him as a potential running mate for Garrett Wilson?

It's not out of the realm of possibility. The Colts have Josh Downs still on his rookie deal, and another wide receiver to take care of in the impending free Alec Pierce. Pittman may be the odd man out.

With all of the Jets' cap space, $74.3 million to be exact, they could easily absorb the USC product's contract and land another bona fide receiving option that they desperately needed last season.

At six-foot-four, Pittman could give the Jets a wideout who has the ability to go up and get contested catches with his immense size. Wilson is a fantastic receiver, but he doesn't have the height advantage that a player like Pittman offers.

Over his six-year career, the former second-round pick has hauled in 485 receptions for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns. A gaudy output for a team that doesn't always have the most competent quarterback play.

In the NFL, salary dump trades typically don't cost all that much in terms of draft capital. The Colts may be desperate enough to accept a Day 3 pick just get out from under Pittman's exorbitant cap hit.

With the wide receivers' past relationship with Reich, Pittman could be an incredible get for a team in need of depth at pass catcher.