Colts’ WR Alec Pierce is reportedly not in contract talks with the team as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.

With wide receiver Alec Pierce entering the final year of his rookie contract, he and the Indianapolis Colts haven’t engaged in contract talks at this time, according to ESPN’s Stephen Holder.

“According to two league sources, there are no current contract talks between Pierce and the team,” wrote Holder. “Additionally, Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is already the team’s highest-paid player in terms of average salary ($23.3 million).”

The fact that there aren’t any ongoing contract talks at this time doesn’t mean that Pierce won’t be re-signed. These conversations can pick up at any time, including in-season if Pierce gets off to a fast start, or prior to free agency beginning next March.

Pierce is coming off a breakout year in 2024 when he totaled 924 receiving yards while leading the NFL in yards per catch at 22.3, emerging as one of the most productive downfield threats in the game.

Heading into the 2025 season, Pierce will look to build off that performance and will remain a vertical presence in this offense. However, the next big step for him is continuing to expand his route tree, so he can impact other levels of the field more often, and become a more well-rounded target in the passing game.

“This time, especially right now and into training camp, you try different things with him,” Shane Steichen said during OTAs. “Obviously, things he wants to get better and improve at, certain routes to keep getting better at and keep working those things so he can improve in that and we can add that to his game as well.”

“I think he just keeps doing this,” Steichen said as he motioned upward.” I really do. Obviously, the deep ball threat is there, but he’s done a great job at transitioning in and out of breaks on certain routes that we’re working on.”

Under contract next season at receiver for the Colts is Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and AD Mitchell, who can also provide that downfield presence within the offense.

The wide receiver market continues to explode, so the Colts may be waiting to see if Pierce can make that next step with his game before discussing a new deal.