The Colts haven’t engaged pending free agent wideout Alec Pierce’s representation in contract talks, but that doesn’t mean they eventually won’t.
According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts have had no ongoing contract negotiations with pending 2026 free agent wide receiver Alec Pierce:
“Even so, the rapidly increasing salaries of wide receivers will impact how the Colts govern themselves with Pierce,” writes Holder.
“According to two league sources, there are no current contract talks between Pierce and the team. Additionally, Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is already the team’s highest-paid player in terms of average salary ($23.3 million).”
That being said, let me preface this by saying that this feels a lot different than the Colts’ lack of reported interest in engaging longtime veteran center Ryan Kelly’s representation last offseason for a potential multi-year contract extension.
Having selected Tanor Bortolini in the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft, it felt like the Colts had just added the future heir apparent at starting center—especially when considering the prospective high cap hits in any new deal for an arguably declining 32-year-old center.
After being selected in the 2nd round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the 25-year-old Pierce had a bit of a breakout season last year. Although he’s a bit of a ‘one-trick pony,’ with his ability to go deep, it’s a niche that he does very well—having averaged a whopping 22.3 yards per reception this past season, even with the Colts’ inconsistent starting quarterback play.
He also led the Colts in receiving yards (824) and touchdown receptions (7) this past year.
To me, this feels like a bit of a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to see how Pierce performs this year, and the Colts will respond accordingly with a new contract extension offer tailored to that performance before next year’s free agency period begins.
The only way that I can see the Colts ‘punting’ completely on re-signing Pierce is if 2024 second round pick AD Mitchell truly has a sensational breakout 2nd-year campaign—which could make Indianapolis investing big dollars in Pierce to be the long-term starting wideout opposite the already well paid Michael Pittman Jr. a potentially questionable salary cap decision going forward.
