The NFL free agency tampering window is now open, and for the first deal of the day, it’s a contract extension. Instead of hitting the open market, talented wide receiver Alec Pierce is set to return to the Indianapolis Colts on a massive new contract.
WR Alec Pierce Makes His Return to the Colts
One of the top free agents available was Pierce, and teams were expected to be very interested in the 25-year-old. In PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, Pierce was ranked 9th overall and 2nd in yards per target (11.9). It makes sense why teams like the New England Patriots or San Francisco 49ers were interested in the young, talented WR.
He is the definition of a vertical threat, and that is what teams needed, but Pierce is returning to Indianapolis on a 4-year, $116M contract.
This is a massive deal for the Colts and Pierce, and here is how the contract is broken down:
Alec Pierce’s deal came together overnight and contains $84M in guarantees, $60M fully guaranteed at signing, and a max package of $116M. https://t.co/D6bpLo4vKY
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2026
Now, the future of fellow WR Michael Pittman is up in the air. Pittman also has a $29M cap hit this season, and Indianapolis is trying to sign QB Daniel Jones to a longer contract; all three players cannot stay on the roster.
If Pierce was going to leave in free agency, it would have kept Pittman safe, but that’s no longer the case. The Colts will be under pressure to move on from the veteran, which could open the door to drafting a WR to pair with Pierce.
This move by the Colts has major roster ramifications, but really, all that matters right now is that Indianapolis now has its franchise WR1. Going into next season, hopes will be high after finishing 2025 on a down note. There will be a real belief that the team can bounce back and compete this year, especially if Jones can return from his injury.
The Colts have invested heavily in keeping their team together, and although it’s risky, it’s clear the decision makers loved parts of last season’s roster.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
