Highly touted wide receiver Alec Pierce will not hit the open market. The Colts and Pierce have agreed to a deal, Jordan Schultz reports. It’s a four-year, $116MM pact, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The contract contains $84MM in guarantees and $60MM fully guaranteed at signing, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network relays.
This is a best-case scenario for the Colts, who are now in position to keep their top receiver and starting quarterback Daniel Jones. After the Colts placed the transition tag on Jones last Tuesday, there was fear Pierce would exit. The 25-year-old even suggested he would test the market. The 2022 second-round pick from Cincinnati will instead continue his career in Indianapolis.
As PFR’s second-ranked free agent, Pierce drew substantial interest before agreeing to stick with the Colts. The Patriots, Raiders, 49ers and Chargers all eyed Pierce, but he turned down more money to remain in Indianapolis, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The Commanders were also “aggressive” in the derby, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN adds.
New England was not willing to match Indy’s bid, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports. The Patriots will now turn their attention elsewhere (perhaps an A.J. Brown trade) as they seek a difference-making receiver to replace the released Stefon Diggs.
Although Pierce has never reached 50 catches in a season, he has emerged as one of the game’s elite downfield threats. The 6-foot-3, 211-pounder led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons. During a career year in 2025, he caught 47 balls for 1,003 yards (21.3 YPC) and six touchdowns over 15 games. It was the first time the durable Pierce has missed more than one game in a season.
On a per-year basis, Pierce has averaged around 39 catches, 734 yards and four touchdowns. That is not No. 1-caliber production, but Pierce will benefit from the league’s significant cap increase. He now ranks ninth at his position in total money, right behind the Bengals’ Tee Higgins. Pierce checks in at 10th in yearly average, once again just behind Higgins. An $84MM guarantee would put him in a fifth-place tie with Brown.
With Pierce under wraps, the Colts will likely put more focus on a long-term deal with Jones. Otherwise, they could risk losing him to an offer sheet. General manager Chris Ballard has until July 15 to reach an agreement with Jones.
Wow
Yikes
Great signing. He’s a game breaking wide out with exceptional speed.
Holy Mary Mother of Gawd
Wow. Great job by his agent. This is a score for him. $30 AAV leaves very little room for error from the Colts side IMO.
Well, it’s crazy money, but it was always going to be crazy money. Great physical gifts, breakout season, and made it all the way to unrestricted free agency, which usually only happens to older receivers or worse receivers (or at least ones with less high end potential).
I know the salary cap has gone up since those deals and the age and UFA things help, but paying Pierce in the McLaurin-Higgins-Waddle range seems kinda wild.
He has the physical gifts and recent trajectory to be worth it, but if I ran a team, I’d be happier letting someone else take that risk.
That’s what 4 years of 40 catches and 700 yards per year costs? Is he even close to a top 10 receiver?
He had over a 1000 yrds with less than 50 catches last year, and lead the league in yrds per catch for the 2nd straight season. just sayin.
He ever had 50 catches in a season?
No he hasnt, but he’s a deep threat WR not a possession WR. Hopefully will see him go over 50 next year after this contract.
He better $500,000 per reception is a bit steep for me
I agree.
I figured he would stay in Indy. It just didn’t seem realistic for him to go to a different team, don’t know why but it didn’t.
What blows my mind is that he had other ‘higher’ offers. Some GM just got their job saved by Indy because this is one hell of an overpay. Good, but not that good.
I heard “other offers” but not higher. I know NE made an offer but it wasnt as much as Indy.