Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 16, 2023 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to add to their depleted arsenal of weapons this offseason. However, they now have one less option as one of this year’s top free agents may not even see the open market.
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Indianapolis Colts have made it clear to wide receiver Alec Pierce that they plan to do whatever it takes to retain him.
“Wide receiver Alec Pierce was a front-of-mind topic at the combine. The team has made it clear to Pierce that he will be a Colt, either through a tag or a long-term deal, before the new league year,” Fowler wrote. “The Colts have work to do to make that happen, but that is the plan.”
Pierce, 25, is coming off the best season of his young, NFL career. In 2025, he recorded a career-high 47 catches for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 16, 2023 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Much of Pierce’s increase in production could be due to the improved play at quarterback by Daniel Jones, but Fowler believes Jones could turn out to be the only reason Pierce isn’t in Indianapolis in 2026.
“While Pierce seems like a logical tag candidate, multiple people connected to the situation believe Jones is a prime candidate for it,” Fowler wrote. “The Colts haven’t tipped their hand in a possible direction. Pierce would command a massive contract if he hit free agency. In November, we reported his market could hit $20 million. Think higher now.”
Only time will tell what the Colts will decide to do, but it seems more likely than not that Pierce will be back in Indianapolis next season and beyond.
A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pierce has recorded 157 catches for 2,934 yards and 17 touchdowns in his professional career.
Mentioned In This Article: Alec Pierce Indianapolis Colts Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers