After coming out of the gate as one of the best teams in the NFL, with an 8-2 record through 10 games, the Indianapolis Colts sputtered down the stretch, losing seven consecutive games to end the 2025 season. The Colts will look to bounce back in 2026, but before doing so, they will be focused on bringing back two key free agents, Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce.
Colts Determined to Try to Lock Alec Pierce Up Long Term
Before addressing Pierce, the Colts’ top priority will be retaining Jones. Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL, and many around the league believe that the Colts will not let him get away.
“The Colts & Daniel Jones have been in discussions for a long-term deal & both sides would like to get a deal done,” said ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter. “My guess is that it will be the transition tag for Daniel Jones.”
The Colts ultimately placed the transition tag on Jones later in the day, and other teams will be able to negotiate with him in free agency. However, Indianapolis can match any offer to keep the quarterback.
“The Colts & Daniel Jones have been in discussions for a long term deal & both sides would like to get a deal done..
There has been a disagreement on value & we’ll see if that changes..
My guys is that it will be the transition tag for Daniel Jones” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/0Zw2AcnvnD
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 3, 2026
Since the team has placed the transition tag on Jones, the question then becomes: Will they be able to bring Pierce back?
“I think the Colts are determined to sign him (Pierce) to a long-term deal before he gets to free agency,” said ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter. “They really wanna keep him, and they are determined to get a deal done with him.”
“I think the Colts are determined to sign Alec Pierce to a long term deal before he gets to free agency..
They really wanna keep him and they really wanna get a deal done” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/JhIaKOTGLB
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 3, 2026
Pierce ranked as the No. 9 wide receiver in PFSN’s Wide Receiver Impact Metric (WRi) in 2025, setting career-highs in targets (84), receptions (47), and receiving yards (1,003). He joined Mike Williams in 2019 and Desean Jackson in 2010 as the only players since 2000 to reach 1,000 receiving yards while catching fewer than 50 passes in a season.
Indianapolis currently has Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs under contract at wide receiver, as well as Tyler Warren at tight end. These three were all valuable pieces of the passing attack for Jones; however, it was Pierce’s ability to stretch the field that set him apart from his teammates.
The explosive deep threat has led the NFL in yards per reception in each of the past two seasons, while catching 13 touchdowns over that same span. Meanwhile, much of the damage caused by Pittman, Downs, and Warren is done underneath. Losing Pierce would deprive Indianapolis of a dangerous weapon and would not be easy to replace.
The Colts ranked as the No. 5 offense in PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact Metric (OFFi), and much of that had to do with their versatility. Teams had to worry about Jonathan Taylor, the league’s third leading rusher with 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns, on the ground, but had to worry about Pierce taking the top off the defense if they stacked the box.
While the Colts have other receiving options on the roster, Pierce brings so much to the table that the team will likely do everything they can to retain him. They will be a team to watch as free agency approaches, with both Pierce and Jones figuring to draw a ton of attention if they were to make it to free agency.
