Colts WR Michael Pittman envisions smooth transition into Shane Steichen’s offense

“They mainly ran the identical performs as a result of they arrive from the identical pressure as our offense,” Pittman stated in an interview Friday, through the group’s web site. “So actually, I imply, it simply helps us begin quick as a result of we actually do not should study an entire new playbook now. There may be a pair small issues, however I believe that we should always be capable of choose up and play quick and we are going to actually see that transition throughout camp, which can assist us begin quick and hopefully we begin the season quick and the whole lot simply takes off from there.”

Maybe that is one of many explanation why Indianapolis is entrusting a 37-year-old rookie head coach to show across the offense. Steichen cast a powerhouse as Eagles offensive coordinator, producing top-five speeding offenses in every of the previous two seasons on the helm and enjoying a essential position within the growth of quarterback Jalen Hurts. His two seasons on the job culminated with an look in Tremendous Bowl LVII and evidently raised his profile as a younger head teaching candidate.

Steichen takes over a Colts offense that is only one yr faraway from producing the league’s 2021 speeding champion in operating again Jonathan Taylor. Ankle accidents all through 2022 not solely hindered Taylor’s manufacturing but additionally had residual results on a Colts offense that struggled to search out an id with out its typical speeding assault.

Instability at quarterback made issues worse because the Colts trotted out three beginning quarterbacks alongside a 4-12-1 season, which noticed the midseason firings of OC Marcus Brady and head coach Frank Reich. The Colts completed twenty sixth within the league in complete offense (311.6 yards per sport) and tied for thirty first in scoring (17.0 factors per sport) in 2022.

Pittman nonetheless managed to supply a strong yr regardless of the tumultuous season, main the group in receptions (99), receiving yards (925) and receiving touchdowns (4). The 25-year-old goals to step up his presence as a veteran chief in Steichen’s first marketing campaign.

“That is one thing that I sit up for and one thing that I am actually making an attempt to take significantly; main these guys and exhibiting them what’s what and (how) we’ll do issues this manner and do it proper,” Pittman stated. “However I can not take credit score for what they’ve finished. For what they do, they work laborious. You noticed Jelani (Woods) sort of take off, you noticed Alec (Pierce) and people younger guys are placing in their very own work. I simply sort of try to lead them straight however the whole lot that they do is what they’ve finished.”

With Steichen heading a recent begin in Indy, Taylor poised for wholesome return and the Colts armed with the No. 4 general choose within the 2023 NFL Draft, there’s loads of optimism heading into 2023. Pittman, in the meantime, is doing his due diligence to assist immediate a fast turnaround.