Michael Pittman Jr. isn’t the most dynamic receiver in the NFL, but he’s a dependable junkyard dog who fits the Pittsburgh Steelers. And according to one analyst, his style was practically made as the perfect match for QB Aaron Rodgers.
“Charting Michael Pittman for RP and with each passing rep it just becomes so clear that, alas, he’s a perfect Aaron Rodgers WR,” Matt Harmon wrote on X.
Charting Michael Pittman for RP and with each passing rep it just becomes so clear that, alas, he’s a perfect Aaron Rodgers WR.
Take that whichever direction you choose. I’m just here to pass along my feelings.
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 10, 2026
What does that mean? For one, Aaron Rodgers got rid of the ball quicker than any starting QB in the league last season. That means his perfect fit is somebody who can run precise routes and make combat catches in tight coverage.
Pittman fits the description as a receiver who can line up anywhere on the field and run just about any route with great success. Here is Harmon’s charting for Pittman via Reception Perception.
New Steelers WR Michael Pittman's 2025 #ReceptionPerception profile 🔥
Some highlights:
– 70.8% success rate vs. man coverage
– 80.5% success rate vs. zone coverage
I've always been a fan of Pittman's game as a reliable player who can play multiple positions. He fits well into… pic.twitter.com/RlI206gU3P
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 11, 2026
His three most-run routes were flat, curl, and dig. On those routes, Pittman had 87, 80.4, and 80.6 success rates respectively. The only two routes at or below 50 percent were nines and corner routes. Aggregated against man and zone coverage, Harmon charted Pittman for a 70.8-percent success rate against man coverage and 80.5-percent against zone.
“He fits well into what I’m guessing the Steelers’ offense will look like this season,” Harmon noted.
Mike McCarthy’s West Coast offense is predicated on beating zone coverage with quick timing routes. In that regard, an Aaron Rodgers-to-Michael Pittman combination should be a win. DK Metcalf was an explosive play threat last season, but he wasn’t a consistent chain mover. The Steelers sorely missed that in their offense, and Pittman can fill that role.
Rodgers hasn’t committed to returning just yet, but the Steelers haven’t made a play for any veteran QBs to fill the void. Their actions speak louder than the uncertain words Omar Khan and Aaron Rodgers have spoken about his 2026 status.
You’ve seen the advanced metrics on Pittman, so now you should go check out the tape breakdown to see it in action. Check that out from our Josh Carney below.
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