Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Colts selected wide receiver Alec Pierce with the 53rd overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was widely viewed as a project coming into the NFL, and thankfully, the Colts were patient enough to accommodate such patience required.
Fast forward to the end of his rookie contract, and Alec Pierce has blossomed into the hottest passcatching commodity of the 2026 NFL Free Agency cycle. The team that drafted him is certainly aware, and they’re going to do everything in their power to retain him.
Already starting strong with a not-so-subtle social media push, the Colts will likely use the franchise tag should they fail to strike a long-term deal with the 2022 second-round draft pick.
This article is the second installment of a new series that covers each of the Indianapolis Colts’ top free agents, offering a case for their retention, a case against it, and a final verdict.
In Favor
As alluded to, Alec Pierce is the big fish of this year’s wide receiver free agent class. Leading the league in yards per reception for the past two seasons, as well as entering the offseason fresh off his first 1,000-yard season, it’s easy to see why Pierce is viewed as the ultimate downfield target of the cycle.
In 2025, Pierce posted career-highs in multiple statistical categories, culminating in an ideal contract year that has caused fanbases of all 32 teams to visualize a world with him in their wide receiver room. Pierce hauled in 47 of his 84 targets (56.0% catch rate) for 1,003 yards (21.3 yards per reception) and 6 touchdowns.
Retaining Pierce no doubt raises an offense’s floor, and more specifically, the downfield passing game, but even more so, there’s an avenue for him to become the team’s next WR1. With Michael Pittman Jr.’s days in Indianapolis feeling more numbered, plus adding in how Pierce has evolved into a legitimate top target, prioritizing his services feels like a given.
The Case Against
Truth be told, there’s little to no argument against Alec Pierce as a free agent prospect. The Colts already know everything they need to as both a person and player; therefore, a setback or regression remains the only concern.
Pierce has undeniably improved in some areas that previously hurt his overall profile and what ultimately deemed him as a deep threat and nothing else — namely, his improved short-area quickness and contested catch ability — though his career-best 47 receptions in 2025 may suggest that an increased workload may cause a hiccup to the upward trajectory he’s currently on.
As far as slotting in as the team’s WR1 for the foreseeable future, perhaps Pierce needs one more season of being the top target of the position room to stack such responsibility and thus prove his worth. Regardless of whether he lives up to the hypothetical billing, replicating what he did in 2024-26 would mean a successful contract.
The Verdict
Alec Pierce’s elite profile as a deep threat is where the conversation begins, then his work ethic, effort, and overall development as a wideout combine to spruce up the resume. The Colts have some key players set to hit free agency, but retaining Pierce’s services should be at the top of the priority list.
The Indianapolis Colts drafted him with a vision in mind, and it has since been realized. Now, they hope he returns the favor by betting on the organization to right the ship as he continues his upward trajectory.
I wrote that the Indianapolis Colts must re-sign Alec Pierce no matter what in late December, and that sentiment remains almost two months later. Regardless of whether it’s a long-term deal or a franchise tag that leads to one, Pierce signing on the dotted line is most important.
Sometimes you have to pay a premium when the supply and demand require it, and the Colts should not treat Alec Pierce’s free agency any differently.