The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded for WR Michael Pittman Jr. Today, I wanted to see how he was utilized from a route-type perspective. The goal is to see frequencies and success, while also comparing Pittman to Pittsburgh’s top two receivers last season for some context.
Thanks to data from Sports Info Solutions (SIS), here is a table with the numbers from last season (excluding low usage routes), sorted by Pittman’s highest routes run (rts):
First, we see the dig route was the most common one that Pittman ran. For clarity, this is an intermediate in-breaking route. He ran it far more than DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III combined for the Steelers in 2025. Adds specific context that Pittsburgh hasn’t been challenging defenses in that area of the field often enough. Really attractive potential that HC Mike McCarthy can utilize in this new-look offense.
Curl routes were the second most common ones run by Pittman, which also eclipsed 100. For context, the highest number of routes run by either Metcalf or Austin in 2025 was 69. So, we can clearly see how Indianapolis deployed Pittman the vast majority of the time last year.
Many things can impact this, such as depth at the position. I doubt anyone would argue that the Colts had a better receiver room than the Steelers last season. Though Pittman led Colts WRs with 110 total targets, they had two others with 80-plus. Comparatively behind Metcalf, Austin had 53 total targets, followed by Adam Thielen at 32. So if Pittman’s target totals seem low compared to his routes run, that’s a big reason why.
Along with curl being the second-most route run by Pittman, it was his most targeted route type. This can be a great concept against zone coverage, along with his most commonly run dig route.
Pittman was certainly targeted more against zone coverage — 69 zone targets to 19 man-coverage targets to be exact. Therefore, if Pittman’s final season with Indianapolis is any indication, short and over the middle value was added through a trade that cost Pittsburgh very little and filled a big need in a more WR-driven McCarthy system.
Among my research, I also found that Pittman was given 6.8 yards of cushion on average (distance of closest defender at the snap). Very important added context, compared to someone like Metcalf, who was given the least cushion among any qualifying WR (min. 45 total targets) per Next Gen Stats.
I was also curious to see Pittman’s overall ADOT. In 2025, that number was 8.4, tied for 12th least (81 qualifiers); Metcalf’s 11.3 ADOT was more in the middle of the pack for context. This could bode very well for Pittman if QB Aaron Rodgers, who got the ball out of his hand quickly and to shorter areas of the field overall last season, returns in 2026.
Of Pittman’s seven touchdown receptions last season, he caught one at each of the following route concepts: curl, drag, slant, fade, beneath, double-move deep, and broken play. While curl was by far his most usage from that list, he did some damage elsewhere that he can hopefully do even more with the Black and Gold.
The opportunities are potentially there for Pittman, compared to playing opposite one of the best deep receivers in Colts WR Alec Pierce (who just got PAID).
Slants are also interesting in my opinion, with Pittman having a much healthier yardage total on those routes. Pairing that hopeful continued success with Metcalf, who was highly productive on slants including three TDs, could create more potential for the passing game and explosive plays in 2026.
After lacking depth in the WR room, it’s nice to see the Steelers invest in the position. They acquired an experienced and high-usage player with 100-plus targets in each of the last five seasons. Pittman is also coming off a career high in touchdown receptions. I can’t wait to see how things look with Pittman in the Steel City, along with likely more change(s) at WR coming.
What are your thoughts on Pittsburgh trading for Michael Pittman?
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