Why It’s Crucial for the Colts to Retain WR Alec Pierce?

The Indianapolis Colts have a lot of important decisions to make moving forward, but one of the biggest should be keeping wide receiver Alec Pierce in the building long-term. Pierce has quietly become one of the most valuable pieces on the offense, and his impact goes far beyond the stat sheet.

Pierce gives the Colts something every team in the NFL is constantly searching for: a reliable vertical threat who can stretch the field and change how defenses play. His speed, size, and ability to win contested catches make him a matchup problem, and when he’s on the field, safeties have to respect the deep ball. That alone opens up space for the run game, the tight ends, and the rest of the receiving corps.

He’s also the type of receiver who fits perfectly with what the Colts want to be offensively. With a quarterback who thrives on big plays and explosive opportunities, Pierce’s ability to create chunk gains makes him an ideal weapon. Retaining him keeps continuity in the offense and gives the team a proven target instead of gambling on replacing his production through the draft or free agency.

From a business standpoint, the Colts may not have a choice but to act sooner rather than later. Pierce could command a 4-year, $80–90 million extension ($20M–$22.5M annually) with the team, and if they aren’t ready to commit to a deal right away, they could decide to use the franchise tag to keep him in place until both sides come to an agreement on a long-term contract. The Colts last utilized the franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in 2024.

At the end of the day, players like Alec Pierce don’t just grow on trees. He’s a homegrown talent, he fits the system, and he’s only getting better. If the Colts are serious about building a consistent and dangerous offense, retaining Alec Pierce should be near the top of the priority list.