As the official start of NFL free agency looms at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11, one of the biggest names set to hit the market, wide receiver Alec Pierce, is drawing a lot of interest, and an ESPN NFL reporter has named some teams as potential landing spots.
Alec Pierce Free Agency: Patriots and Commanders Listed as Possible Destinations
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has compiled a roundup of the latest rumors, and the section regarding Pierce stood out.
“Expect negotiations between Alec Pierce and the Colts to go down to the wire as the team tries to keep him off Monday’s open market,” Fowler wrote.
Pierce played a massive role in the Colts’ offense last season, catching 47 passes on 84 targets for 1,003 yards and 6 touchdowns. These were all season highs except for the touchdowns; he had 7 in 2024.
The Colts finished the season with a PFSN Offense Impact Score of 84.8, which was No. 5 in the league. Keep in mind that it includes Daniel Jones getting injured and the Colts relying on veteran quarterback Philip Rivers and rookie Riley Leonard.
“That’s going to be a challenge. Pierce appears poised to make at least $27 million per year on a new deal. The Patriots, Commanders, Raiders, and Titans are among teams in the mix.” Fowler added.
That estimate differs from Pierce’s market value listed at Spotrac, which is just over $20.2 million. Either way, it represents a substantial price tag, particularly for a team expected to negotiate with Jones.
According to Spotrac, here’s where the Colts, Patriots, Commanders, Raiders, and Titans land in terms of salary cap space:
- Colts: $582,488
- Patriots: $39.9 million
- Commanders: $83.3 million
- Raiders: $119.3 million
- Titans: $89.2 million
The Colts would need to make significant moves to compete financially, while teams such as the Raiders could absorb a $27 million contract with ease. However, for Colts fans, there is some hope.
“What helps Indy’s case is that Pierce is close with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and, if everything is equal, would like to stay in Indianapolis,” Fowler said.
Pierce’s rapport with Jones was evident last season, as the two consistently connected on key plays.
If Pierce were to leave for those other teams, he would be catching passes from quarterbacks such as Drake Maye (Patriots), Jayden Daniels (Commanders), Cam Ward (Titans), or potentially incoming rookie Fernando Mendoza, with the Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pierce may not fit the mold of a prototypical high-priced wide receiver, but with limited talent available in free agency, multiple teams with ample cap space, and his ability to stretch the field — averaging 21.8 yards per catch over the past two seasons — he is expected to draw considerable interest.
The question remains whether the Colts can retain their homegrown talent or whether Pierce will depart for a contract worth more than $100 million.
