Browns QB Kenny Pickett Dealing With Hamstring Injury
For the time being, the Browns’ quarterback competition has only three healthy participants. Kenny Pickett is sidelined with a hamstring ailment. 
The injury occurred late in Saturday’s practice, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Pickett will be re-evaluated in the coming days to determine the severity of the situation. In the meantime, veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will split reps during practice.
Further testing will reveal the extent of the injury, but Mary Cay Cabot of cleveland.com reports the Browns are not planning an addition under center. That is certainly an encouraging sign with respect to Pickett’s prognosis as he looks to return to action as quickly as possible. The former first-rounder is among the signal-callers who have seen notable time with the starting offense so far in 2025.
Pickett looked to be in the lead for the QB1 gig this spring, although a report from one month ago indicated Flacco would enter camp as the frontrunner. The latter has familiarity with head coach Kevin Stefanski‘s scheme along with the backing of at least some Browns veterans. Flacco could look to further increase his odds of receiving the Week 1 nod with a slight uptick in work given Pickett’s absence.
Cleveland will, to no surprise, not consider a trade involving either of the rookies. With Gabriel and Sanders safe, many have pointed to Flacco and Pickett – both of whom are pending 2026 free agents – as a potential trade candidates at the end of the summer. The winner of this year’s quarterback competition will of course survive roster cutdowns, but the veteran which does not earn the gig could represent a backup option for outside suitors.
Nevertheless, the prospect of carrying all four quarterbacks on the roster through the start of the season has been raised, and general manager Andrew Berry recently repeated his willingness to take that route. In any case, Pickett’s health will be a factor in determining how the depth chart shakes out. His injury outlook will thus be worth monitoring.
Dolphins To Host TE Noah Fant
Noah Fant‘s free agent tour will include a third visit. The veteran tight end is meeting with the Dolphins today, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. 
Fant’s first visit took place with the Bengals last week, but it was reported at the time interest was being shown from other suitors. As such, the Saints hosted him shortly after Cincinnati did the same. With no deal in place yet, Miami will explore another addition at the tight end spot.
After it became clear no extension would be worked out with Jonnu Smith, the Pro Bowler was included in the Jalen Ramsey–Minkah Fitzpatrick trade. That move created a vacancy at the tight end position, and the Dolphins moved quickly in taking an unexpected route to fill it. A trade was worked out with the Giants to acquire Darren Waller, who has unretired to play at least one more NFL campaign.
If healthy, Waller should be able to operate as Miami’s top pass-catcher at the tight end spot. The same would also be true of Fant if he were to join the team, however. The 27-year-old has not struggled to line up suitors in the wake of his Seahawks release. Fant has recorded at least 40 catches in five of his six NFL seasons, notching 500 or more yards on four occasions.
Similar production could be expected if Fant were to join the Dolphins, although Waller could also occupy a notable complementary role to wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle if things go according to plan in his case. Miami opened up cap space with yesterday’s restructure of Fitzpatrick’s contract, creating the possibility of a short-term signing amongst the veterans still on the market. Fant will now be a name to watch on that front as he contemplates his options.
Cowboys G Robert Jones To Miss Time
The Cowboys’ offensive line will be shorthanded through the remainder of training camp and into the start of the regular season. Guard Robert Jones has suffered an injury which will keep him sidelined for the time being. 
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer report Jones broke a bone in his neck yesterday. As a result of the ailment, an absence of two to three months is expected. The news marks a blow for the free agent signing, especially given his workload early in training camp.
Jones had spent time at right guard with the starting offense during camp, supplanting first-round rookie Tyler Booker in that role. WFAA’s Ed Werder notes Jones had been enjoying a strong camp to date, but his ability to compete for a first-team gig has now disappeared. Surgery will not be required in this case, per Archer.
After spending his first four seasons with the Dolphins, Jones signed a one-year, $3.75MM deal to join the Cowboys. The 26-year-old has 30 starts to his name, including 17 from last season. Tyler Smith is in position to operate at his preferred left guard spot, however, and the decision to select Booker on Day 1 of the draft put the Alabama product on track to handle right guard duties. Especially with Jones now injured, the Smith-Booker tandem will prepare to play together in the regular season.
The offensive line was an issue for Dallas during the disappointing 2024 campaign, Booker’s ability to succeed in a starting role – along with the development of second-year left tackle Tyler Guyton – will be critical in determining how the unit fares this season. Jones will represent an option to fill in along the interior if needed once he returns to full health. That will not be possible at the start of the year, however.
Buccaneers’ David Walker Suffers ACL Tear
David Walker will not be available to the Buccaneers during the 2025 season. The rookie edge rusher suffered an ACL tear and will miss the campaign, as first reported by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
Walker went down in practice Friday, and subsequent testing has revealed the unfortunate news. The fourth-rounder’s attention will now turn to recovery as the Buccaneers move forward with their remaining options along the edge. Walker entered the league after winning the Buck Buchanan award as the top defensive player at the FCS level.
During his time at Central Arkansas, Walker earned All-American acclaim three times. His production helped his draft stock, and as a mid-round selection the 25-year-old was in position to occupy a rotational role during his first year with the Bucs. That will no longer be the case given the injury.
Tampa Bay has YaYa Diaby set to reprise his role as a full-time starter from last season. Free agent addition Haason Reddick is on track to work with the first-team defense in 2025. The Buccaneers’ remaining depth chart along the edge includes Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell as backups. As Fox Sports’ Greg Auman notes, the injury to Walker will help the chances of Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez to survive roster cuts at the end of training camp.
With over $26MM in cap space, the Buccaneers could certainly afford a low-cost veteran to help compensate for losing Walker. Za’Darius Smith, Jadeveon Clowney and Matt Judon are among the edge rushers still on the market at this point, but none have been linked to Tampa Bay this offseason. Unless anything changes on that front, the team will move forward without a notable outside addition.
Chargers, Rashawn Slater Agree To Extension
10:25pm: Mike Florio of NBC Sports delivered some details on Slater’s new record-setting contract. Of the $92MM in guaranteed money, $29MM comes in the form of his signing bonus. His base salaries in 2025 ($2MM) and 2026 ($11MM) are fully guaranteed, as are the $7MM roster bonuses in each year. His base salaries for the remaining years are $26MM in 2027 (guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed in March 2026), $23.29MM in 2028 ($10MM guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed in March 2027), and $20.75MM in 2029. He can also receive a $7MM roster bonus in 2029, giving Los Angeles incentive to let him play out the final year of the deal.
The deal is structured in a way that rewards Slater with the largest one-year, two-year, and four-year cash flows for an offensive lineman in NFL history. Daniel Popper of The Athletic adds that Slater’s cap hits as a result of the new contract will be $14.8MM in 2025, $23.8MM in 2026, $31.8MM in 2027, $29.09MM in 2028, and $33.55MM in 2029.
1:03pm: Rashawn Slater will not enter the 2025 campaign as a pending free agent. Talks on a Chargers extension produced an agreement Sunday. 
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports team and player have agreed to a four-year, $114MM extension. This monster pact – which is now official – includes $92MM guaranteed and makes Slater the highest-paid offensive linemen in NFL history. As a result of this pact, he is on the books with Los Angeles through 2029.
Given the Chargers’ decision to pick up Slater’s fifth-year option last spring, he was on track to collect $19.04MM in 2025. A mutual interest has long existed for a multi-year pact to be worked out, however, and after skipping OTAs the former No. 13 pick attended mandatory minicamp. Expecting to land an extension in time for Week 1, Slater was also present for the start of training camp this month. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Slater sat out early practices while the agreement was finalized.
When Penei Sewell inked his Lions extension last offseason, he moved the bar to $28MM in average annual value. Tristan Wirfs narrowly surpassed that mark on his second Buccaneers contract, and Slater has now moved to the top of the pecking order. The 26-year-old’s AAV of $28.5MM is a new watermark for offensive linemen, and his guarantee figure – which will come into greater focus when the full structure of this pact is known, of course – far outpaces the other top earners along the O-line.
Slater has started all 51 of his regular season games with the Bolts, putting to rest questions about his arm length potentially preventing him from operating as a left tackle at the NFL level. The Northwestern product earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie and has rebounded from a health perspective since being limited to three games the following year. Slater finished a career-worst 17th in terms of PFF grade in 2023, but he landed a far better evaluation last season.
In 2024 – with No. 5 pick Joe Alt handling right tackle duties – Slater received a 90.9 PFF grade, good for second amongst qualifying tackles. The Chargers will be counting on that level of play continuing for the foreseeable future. Alt loomed as a potential candidate to replace Slater on the blindside starting in 2026, but today’s move ensures that tandem will remain in place for years to come.
Strength up front was, to no surprise, a key target for the Jim Harbaugh-Joe Hortiz regime when it took over last year. The Chargers now have Slater under contract long term while Alt has plenty of runway on his rookie pact. Mekhi Becton was signed in free agency after his stellar one-and-done Eagles campaign, and he will occupy the right guard spot. A rotation between left guard and center is ongoing with respect to Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman, but regardless of how that plays out the offensive line will again be expected to be among the league’s best in 2025.
The Bolts made the postseason in Harbaugh’s first year in charge, but a turnover-filled performance on the part of quarterback Justin Herbert resulted in a wild-card exit. If the team is to take a step forward this year, Slater will no doubt play a major role. His performance will now be measured with a record-breaking commitment on the part of the team in mind.
Offseason In Review: Chicago Bears
Thanks to the Bryce Young blockbuster, the Bears owned the No. 1 selection in last year’s draft. As expected, general manager Ryan Poles and Co. used that as an opportunity to move on from Justin Fields and reset at the quarterback spot. 2024 marked the beginning of the Caleb Williams era.
The ensuing campaign was littered with missteps on the part of Matt Eberflus’ coaching staff, however, and notable sideline changes transpired at multiple points. Finding a coach capable of maximizing Williams’ potential was a central priority entering the offseason, and the Bears managed to land the top candidate on the market. Poles has since received a new commitment to continue overseeing the rebuild he took on in 2022. The progress of that effort will be measured largely by how this campaign plays out.
Coaching/Front Office:
- Hired Ben Johnson as head coach, replacing interim HC Thomas Brown
- Extended GM Ryan Poles through 2029
- Hired Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator, replacing interim OC Chris Beatty
- Hired Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator, replacing Eric Washington
- Hired Antwaan Randle El as assistant head coach
- Added pass-game coordinator Press Taylor, running backs coach Eric Bieniemy to staff
- Hired J.T. Barrett as quarterbacks coach, Dan Roushar as offensive line coach
- Owner Virginia McCaskey died at 102
Over the course of his three seasons as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Johnson established himself as one of the top offensive minds in the NFL. That led to widespread interest over multiple years and the expectation a jump to a head coaching gig would come relatively soon. Going deep into the hiring process in 2024, Johnson instead chose to remain in place for another year. 
As expected, the Lions were again one of league’s most balanced and productive offenses. Johnson’s unit led the NFL in scoring while ranking top six in both rushing and passing yardage. The timing and frequency of Detroit’s many trick plays drew criticism on more than one occasion – including the Lions’ upset loss in the divisional round of the playoffs. Still, Johnson emerged as the top prize during the 2025 hiring cycle.
The 39-year-old interviewed with the Jaguars, Raiders and Patriots prior to his Bears hire. Johnson’s meetings with Chicago obviously drew interest leading up to his decision to head to the Windy City but they were also part of a very wide-ranging search. The team was connected to a number of high-profile pro and college coaches, including an unsuccessful attempt to speak with (and potentially trade for) Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The Chicago opening was of interest to Bill Belichick, but no interview took place with the now-North Carolina staffer.
The Bears did speak with previous (and, in two cases, active) NFL HCs in the form of Pete Carroll, Mike Vrabel, Mike McCarthy and Ron Rivera during their search process. Brown also received one interview for the full-time gig before ultimately joining the Patriots. In the end, Johnson received a deal averaging a reported $13MM per year – more than double Eberflus’ rate as a fellow first-time head coach when he was hired – to lead the way for Williams and Co. In 2025 and beyond, he will be counted on to provide stability on the sidelines and maximize the former Heisman winner’s potential.
At the time of Johnson’s hire, Poles had two years remaining on his pact. Having been brought in only two days before Eberflus, he was a far more central figure in the search process which brought in Johnson. A February report indicated Poles was expected to receive a new deal, and he is indeed now aligned with Johnson from a contract perspective.
The Eberflus era failed to produce any winning seasons, but in his three years at the helm Poles has succeeded in turning over much of the roster and cleaning up the team’s finances. A largely young core is in place for years to come and Chicago’s offense in particular has a notable amount of potential moving forward. Of course, moves like the ill-fated Chase Claypool trade illustrate the downside of Poles’ GM run.
A lack of emphasis along both sides of the line of scrimmage also proved costly in 2024. Before finding out how this year’s moves fare in term of rectifying the situation, though, Chicago’s front office authorized a new Poles commitment. President and CEO Kevin Warren outranks Poles in the current power structure, something which can be expected to continue for the foreseeable future. If this sign of confidence – premature, some would argue – proves to be fruitful, though, a high degree of stability at all levels of the organization will be possible over a lengthy tenure. 
Mass turnover is common around the NFL once new head coaches are brought in. Given the nature of Chicago’s staff both before and after the in-season dismissals made in 2024, it came as no surprise that was the case in this situation. Shortly after being installed, Johnson made it clear there would be new faces in several positions on his staff.
Beatty is among them, although he will not call plays. The former Saints assistant spent the past two years coaching the Broncos’ tight ends, and he could find himself regularly working with that position group in his new gig as well. In any case, Beatty’s time in New Orleans makes him a familiar face for Allen, who will provide the Bears with an ex-NFL head coach during Johnson’s first year in that role.
After his run in charge of the Raiders ended, Allen spent nearly seven full seasons leading the Saints’ defense. The 52-year-old was promoted to head coach after Sean Payton’s 2022 departure, but he was unable to lead the team to the playoffs. Improvement from seven to nine wins across his first two years suggested Allen could enjoy continued progression in 2024. Midway through an injury-plagued campaign, however, the Saints sat at 2-7 and Allen was dismissed.
A third opportunity as an NFL head coach does not seem plausible at this point for Allen. Still, expectations will be high for his unit. From 2020-23, the Saints ranked between fourth and ninth in points allowed with a top-seven finish in total defense during three of those years. Especially if Allen can help oversee an improvement against the run, his hire will prove to be worthwhile.
Randle El worked together with Johnson in Detroit; in addition to his new title he will maintain his familiar role as receivers coach. A key element of the Bears’ success on offense will be the development of the team’s wideouts not named D.J. Moore, so that unit will be worth watching closely. Barrett is another member of the staff who followed Johnson from Detroit to Chicago.
Just as the Bears have head coaching experience at one coordinator spot, they will also have ex-coordinators serving as position coaches in 2025. Bieniemy spent 2024 in the college ranks, but a mutual decision was made to part ways with UCLA after the campaign. A return to the NFL was sought as a result, although the former Chiefs offensive coordinator’s stock was in a worse spot than it was when he took charge of the Commanders’ offense for one year.
Nevertheless, Bieniemy met with the Patriots about their OC gig before it went (for the third time) to Josh McDaniels. In the end, the 55-year-old joined the Bears in a move which will see him oversee a unit in need of improved production in 2025. D’Andre Swift averaged a career-worst 3.8 yards per carry during his debut Chicago campaign; increasing that figure and/or establishing a strong backfield tandem could help the team’s offense but also increase Bieniemy’s chances at another play-calling gig in the NFL.
Last offseason, the Jaguars cleaned house on the defensive side of Doug Pederson’s coaching staff. The offense remained largely intact, and Taylor maintained his role calling plays for Jacksonville last season. That arrangement drew scrutiny from then-general manager Trent Baalke and carried into the campaign as a source of tension between the two. Taylor joined Pederson in departing Duval County following the season, and Baalke did the same after it appeared he would be safe. 
Taylor (along with Pederson) was unable to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence meet the expectations associated with his draft pedigree and $55MM-per-year extension. It would thus come as a surprise if Zac Taylor’s brother were to receive another coordinator opportunity – or at least one with play-calling responsibilities – in the near future. This Bears stint could also result in a rebound in terms of coaching stock, though.
The Colts’ day-to-day operations (among other things, of course) were greatly impacted by owner Jim Irsay’s passing this offseason. The situation was different in the Bears’ case, as McCaskey’s son George has chaired the team’s board of governors since 2011. Nevertheless, Virginia McCaskey’s death means the coming season will be the first since 1982 without her in place atop the ownership group.
The McCaskey family still has an 80% stake in the franchise, and that will not change any time soon. The Bears could, however, sell off the non-controlling share which belonged to the late Andrew McKenna Sr. at some point in the future. A number of teams around the league have taken the private equity route for an influx of cash, and Chicago could be among them.
Trades:
- Acquired G Jonah Jackson from Rams for 2025 sixth-round pick
- Acquired G Joe Thuney from Chiefs for 2026 fourth-rounder
Prior to free agency, it became clear upgrading the interior of the offensive line was a major Bears priority. Familiarity played in a role in both cases with respect to targeting new guards, of course. Ben Johnson previously worked alongside Jackson in Detroit and Ryan Poles was a member of the Chiefs’ front office in 2021 when Thuney signed with Kansas City in free agency that year.
During his four years in Detroit, Jackson operated as a full-time starter. The former third-rounder managed to play double-digit games every year, but that was not the case upon arrival with the Rams in 2024. Jackson dealt with a shoulder injury during his debut Los Angeles campaign, and the ailment caused him to miss time during the middle of the season. Upon returning to full health, though, he only played another two games; Jackson finished the year as a backup after a brief trial period at center.
Even though the Rams signed him to a three-year, $51MM pact last spring, it came as little surprise when they allowed Jackson to seek a trade. The Bears swap took place prior to March 12, which was key based on the timing of an $8.5MM roster bonus in 2025. Chicago took on the remaining money on the Ohio State product’s pact and then added another year via an extension. Jackson received $7MM in a new, full guarantee for 2026 with another $5.25MM guaranteed for injury.
Expectations will be high during his time in Chicago as a result. Jackson will handle right guard duties on his new team, something which he has not done much of to date in his career. Provided he can provide consistent play at that spot for the coming years, however, the Bears’ decision to reunite him with Johnson will prove to be worthwhile.
At 32, Thuney is four years older than Jackson. He will nevertheless be counted on to an even larger extent to serve as a high-end performer up front. Thuney already had a strong track record upon arrival in Kansas City, but during his tenure with the Chiefs he collected three Pro Bowl nods. In each of the past two seasons, the former Patriot has landed on the All-Pro first team at left guard. Even considering Thuney’s rough ending — as a left tackle fill-in — to his Chiefs tenure, Thuney has been one of the NFL’s best O-linemen this decade. 
Maintaining that level of play will be a key aspect of Chicago’s retooling efforts up front. Thuney has graded out as a top-10 guard in terms of Pro Football Focus grade every year since 2018 and he has missed just two games over that span. The Bears are counting on that remaining the case for a few more years; a two-year extension surfaced in May. As a result of the new deal, Thuney is owed $51MM over the next three years, with the guaranteed money included in that figure to be paid out this season and next.
Just like Jackson, Thuney is on the books through 2027. That duo will be the subject of scrutiny if things do not go according to plan, but if each of its members plays to their potential they – alongside established right tackle Darnell Wright – will help offer stability to a unit where it has been lacking in recent years. Johnson’s ability to bring about improvements to the offense in general will of course depend on the success of Poles’ efforts to provide him with a stronger unit up front than his predecessor had to work with.
Giants WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton Suffers Achilles Tear
Bryce Ford-Wheaton missed his rookie season due to an ACL tear, and he has once again been dealt a major injury blow. The Giants receiver/special teamer went down in practice today and observers feared an Achilles tear would be revealed after further testing. 
That injury has indeed been confirmed, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports. The news marks a highly unfortunate development for Ford-Wheaton, who will in all likelihood miss all of the coming campaign. The former UDFA managed to play 14 games in 2024, his lone healthy NFL campaign to date.
[RELATED: Recapping Giants’ Offseason]
Ford-Wheaton saw only a pair of snaps on offense last season, but he made his presence known on special teams. The 25-year-old handled a 78% snap share in the third phase, and he was in position to do the same in 2025 provided he survived roster cuts. Instead, his attention will once again turn to a lengthy rehab process.
The Giants’ receiver room will once again have the likes of Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt in place. Those holdovers are joined in training camp by a number of contenders for an spot on the end of the roster, including free agent signing Zach Pascal. Today’s news will not impact New York’s offensive plans, but the Giants’ special teams units will be shorthanded moving forward.
Ford-Wheaton is on track for restricted free agency next offseason. This injury obviously decreases his chances of being tendered in 2026 and thus adds uncertainty to his Giants future.
Jaguars HC Liam Coen Addresses Travis Hunter’s Practice Schedule
Travis Hunter saw incremental increases in his practice workload during the spring, seeing time at receiver and cornerback. As padded practices take place, a curated plan will be implemented for the Heisman winner. 
Earlier this month, it was confirmed the Jaguars would continue ramping up Hunter’s responsibilities during training camp, with certain practices involving work on both sides of the ball. After beginning strictly as a receiver, this year’s No. 2 pick has also handled cornerback drills in camp. Head coach Liam Coen recently confirmed a day-by-day approach will be taken in this case.
“You want to give him a couple days offense, a couple days defense, and then give him an opportunity to go flip-flop within the same practice and then that will kind of become the norm,” Coen said (via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco). “Every moment, every minute that he is in the building, it is accounted for and trying to make sure that we maximize his time, our time so that we can ultimately get the best outcome.”
Given the price Jacksonville paid to move up from fifth to second in the first-round order on draft night to land Hunter, his performance will be central to the evaluation of Coen and rookie general manager James Gladstone. A regular workload on offense and defense should await the Colorado product if all goes according to plan regarding his acclimation for both positions. As could be expected, no firm decision has been made yet with respect to how many snaps Hunter will play on any given week.
DiRocco has tracked the offense/defense snap split so far in camp, illustrating how certain days will contain exclusive work at one position or the other. Strong showings in that respect will allow for the team to continue including two-way days in Hunter’s summer routine. If the 22-year-old manages that workload well, he should be in store to take on a unique role come the regular season.
QB Matthew Stafford Has Back Soreness; Rams Using Altered Practice Approach
Back soreness resulted in Matthew Stafford being limited to start training camp. Instead of returning to practice this coming week, the Super Bowl winner will be sidelined. 
Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Saturday (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop) that Stafford is still expected to be at full strength in time for Week 1. For now, though, the 37-year-old is considered week-to-week.
“I don’t think we can be smart enough with somebody like Matthew [Stafford] and I think it’s best for him, best for our football team, and that’s kind of the plan that we’ll have moving forward,” McVay said of the team’s amended practice schedule which will be implemented this summer.
McVay also noted (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network) that Stafford is on board with the plan to manage his workload during camp. The team will also employ a “modified schedule” for practice with other veterans on the offensive side of the ball. Longevity through the campaign is the target as Los Angeles aims for another postseason run in 2025.
Keeping Stafford in particular healthy will of course be critical to the team’s success. He was able to handle a full campaign last year, only sitting out the regular season finale with the Rams having already clinched the NFC West title. A sustained run of availability will also be key given the commitments which are in place beyond the 2025 campaign.
The Rams allowed Stafford to survey his trade market this offseason before ultimately working out another restructured pact. The two-time Pro Bowler is scheduled to collect $84MM over the next two years, with $56MM of that figure – including $16MM in 2026 – fully guaranteed. No long-term successor is in place, so Stafford’s healthy and level of play will remain central in determining the team’s fate for at least another two years.
In the meantime, veteran backup Jimmy Garoppolo and 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett will handle practice reps at the quarterback spot. Stafford will see time as camp progresses, but his ability to avoid any setbacks will be a storyline to monitor leading up to the regular season.
WR Alec Pierce Does Not Anticipate Colts Extension
Earlier this offseason, it was reported Alec Pierce and the Colts had yet to engage in extension talks. The fourth-year wideout’s camp has in fact spoken to the team about a second contract, but it is still unlikely one will be worked out any time soon. 
Pierce is one of several Day 2 swings Indianapolis has taken at the receiver position under general manager Chris Ballard. The former second-rounder handled a regular offensive role during his rookie season before becoming a full-time starter in 2023. During that period, Pierce saw his yards per catch rate increase but managed only four touchdowns.
This past campaign resulted in a step forward in production despite the Colts’ quarterback issues. Pierce set a new personal best with 824 yards and caught a career-high seven touchdowns. His 22.3 yards per reception average led the NFL. At the age of 25, a raise should be in store on his next deal. It remains to be seen if it will come from Indianapolis, though.
“I haven’t even thought about it too much in terms of myself,” Pierce said when speaking about a potential Colts extension (via Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star). “My agents might have talked with them a while back, but I feel like on that front, it’s going to be play the season out, kind of see where things go.”
While the door is certainly not closed to an arrangement keeping the Cincinnati product in place beyond 2025, Pierce’s comments strongly indicate he will at least test his market next spring. The Colts have not been shy about retaining in-house players during Ballard’s tenure as GM, although a philosophical shift was implemented this offseason. That could contribute to a 2026 free agent departure in this case.
The Colts have Michael Pittman Jr. on the books for another two years (with his $18MM base salary guaranteed in full for 2025.). He will be counted on to remain the team’s No. 1 wideout irrespective of who earns the starting quarterback gig. Ashton Dulin was re-signed on a two-year pact this offseason, and he will provide Indianapolis with a cost-effective depth option. Pierce is joined by Josh Downs (third round, 2023) and Adonai Mitchell (second round, 2024) as a Colts wideout attached to a rookie contract.
The team would therefore still have low-cost receivers to supplement Pittman in the event Pierce were to leave on the open market. It will be interesting to see if things change and efforts are made to work out a deal as the 2025 season progresses.