Alec Pierce looms as one of the top free agent options at the receiver position this spring. Remaining with the Colts appears to still be on the table, although an exploration of the market also seems to be approaching. 
“I’ve got great relationships here with this organization and the people in this building, this city,” Pierce said on Monday (via Nathan Brown of the Indy Star). “They’ve done so much for me so far, and I definitely would love to continue to be part of this organization, and we’ll see where things go.
“But I don’t know. I don’t know how this will all work out… I think I’ve got to see it all laid out in front of me. There’s so many different variables that go into that decision. I think it’s really hard to say what the priorities are, because you’re looking at 50 different variables at each place.”
While playing out his rookie contract, Pierce has emerged as one of the league’s premier deep threats. In each of the past two seasons, the former second-rounder has topped the NFL in yards per reception average. Pierce enjoyed a career year in 2025, setting a new personal best in catches (47) and yards (1,003).
Even after quarterback Daniel Jones suffered his Achilles tear, Pierce managed to have strong games at times down the stretch (including a two-touchdown performance yesterday). The Cincinnati product could be highly sought after during his first trip to free agency, especially if George Pickens winds up receiving the franchise tag from the Cowboys to prevent a departure. Whether it comes from the Colts or a new team, a major raise is forthcoming in Pierce’s case.
With Indianapolis having elected to retain head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard, attention will turn to the matter of re-signing Jones. The 2024 free agent signing enjoyed a stellar campaign prior to being injured, and he wants to stay in place. Keeping Jones in the fold will require more than the $14MM he signed for last spring, although the injury could complicate his value.
Pierce, 25, said continuing to play with Jones represents an attractive selling point in the case of re-signing with the Colts. Based on his comments, however, it would come as little surprise if he were to at least test the waters in March.
If he hits the free agent market, he’s going to get a huge payday. Breakout season, hard to find skill set, still young, and would headline an awful free agent class.
It will be interesting to see how the Colts value his services in a contract offer, especially if they do intend to re-sign Jones which will will cost them a lot of money given the QB options in the open market….
he’s been used as a home run threat in their offense and who knows how he would do in a different offense where he would be targeted at least double of how he’s used by the Colts……..of course, Its possible that his payday may be valued at catching 50% of his targets, obviously a “go long” threat, with a high of 47 catches, which on most teams would be a WR3…he most probably will bank on a team other than the Colts paying him for potential.
Jones coming off of an Achilles tear will come at a solid discount I think which could give them enough to spend on Pierce since they had 45m in cap space. Not many other guys to bring in either.
Add in restructuring Buckner’s deal and perhaps Ward retires and they have even more space.
2 TD receptions vs. Houston, but he also nudged the back judge arguing a call on a deep ball in the 3rd and was disqualified. Not a smart thing to do in a back-and-forth game.
The ref was wrong … Pierce hardly touched him.
The ref acted like he had PTSD.
Bills
He should get a similar deal to Jameson Williams, with Jones getting a Baker like deal.
Completely reasonable for both. If not for the injury I would say Jones could/should get more but with it, I think that is the perfect comp.
Could you imagine him with Josh Allen as his QB?
That would be great as a WR2 type option, in my mind, hopefully with Buffalo finding a WR1 who can make reliable catches in the draft.
The great thing about Pierce is that he finally showed some growth this year in his route tree. He’s still thought of as a deep ball guy, rightfully so (which is harder than it’s given credit for to do consistently, but is still pretty one sided); however, he’s started to expand his tree to include more middle of the field attacks this year, which makes him infinitely more useful.
Pierce is still obviously a developing receiver, which is good in the sense that he’ll get better, but also in that a team could get a bargain if they sign him now and he ends up becoming one of the most versatile or even best in the league. That may not happen, but the chance that it could is worth the swing on a WR needy team like Buffalo…in addition to Pierce’s current abilities. I do think that Indy is his most likely landing spot as things stand now, but Pierce will certainly have a wide market for signings. Finding the right QB and offense should be just as big for him as anything else. Allen would be a great option.
Good breakdown. He is clearly an improving WR. It’s kind of scary that his breakout year saw him average less than 3 receptions a game (47 receptions on the year). Another interesting stat – – Pierce averaged 4.75 receptions/game with Rivers & Lenard. Only 2.15 receptions/game with Jones.
Cowboys trade Pickens for draft picks and sign Alec Pierce in free agency. Pickens will backfire on Jones if he signs him to 30 million a year.
Hope the Titans get him. Especially if he can adjust to Ward’s side-arm rockets. He could be dangerous for Purdy and Santa Clara.
He should hit open market and paid boohoo bucks. Great fit for the Bills Rams or Broncos