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Alec Pierce was ejected from the Colts Week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans.
The Indianapolis Colts are gearing up for a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest decisions regarding quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce has returned to the spotlight.
According to a report from uSTADIUM on X, the team isn’t expected to let Pierce hit free agency. They could use the franchise tag on the big-play receiver depending on what happens with Jones.
Pierce, 25, has quietly become one of the league’s most explosive pass-catchers. He’s led the NFL in yards per catch the last two seasons and eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in 2025. Over four years with Indianapolis, he’s proven he can stretch the field and be an elite counterpart to any WR1.
Pierce has blossomed into a versatile threat that any NFL offense covets.
The franchise tag for a wideout would cost $28.8 million, while the QB tag comes in at $47.3 million, per uSTADIUM.
With Jones widely viewed as a priority, the Colts could tag Pierce to keep him in Indy, or tag Jones first and negotiate Pierce afterward.
Either way, the Colts want Pierce in Indy one way or another.
Why Keeping Pierce Matters for the Colts’ Rebound
Retaining Pierce could be huge for Indianapolis’ 2026-27 aspirations. The Colts finished 8–2 when fully healthy last season before Jones’ injury derailed their momentum.
Head coach Shane Steichen’s offense showed promise, and the skill positions — especially Pierce, Michael Pittman Jr., and Tyler Warren — give the Colts a strong foundation.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there’s cautious optimism inside the organization that a healthy roster and improved defensive depth could spark a comeback campaign.
Pierce’s potential value is significant. PFF projects a four-year deal around $96 million, while Spotrac estimates roughly $81 million.
That’s a hefty price, but losing him could leave a hole the team might struggle to fill.
Colts’ New Priority Involves Both Jones and Pierce — Whether They Like It Or Not
With a healthy offensive core and $36.3 million in cap space, the Colts lacking a first-round pick this year makes Pierce a lot more valuable than what they’ve led on.
The AFC South isn’t getting any easier: The Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans are all trending up, and the Colts haven’t won the division in 12 years.
Defensive departures — potentially Nick Cross or Kwity Paye — could compound the challenge. The Colts need high-impact players on both sides of the football to keep themselves in NFL playoff contender discussions. Pierce isn’t just a weapon offensively; he’s insurance for Jones and a cornerstone for the passing game.
The organization can use the tag this offseason, and negotiate a long-term deal while keeping a key piece on the roster. Pierce’s production, combined with a full offseason and the potential return of DeForest Buckner and Sauce Gardner on defense, could position the Colts as a sleeper team in 2026.
The Colts know where their priorities lie. Protect Jones, keep Pierce and build a team that can compete in a stacked AFC South. It’s a balancing act — salary cap, draft capital, and health all matter — but retaining Pierce might be higher on their agenda than fans initially believed.
Derek Hryn Derek Hryn is a writer for Heavy.com. He has extensive experience covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, along with providing expert fantasy football analysis for DraftKings and SB Nation. His work has been featured at Sports Illustrated, USA Today, NBC Sports, The New York Post, and others. More about Derek Hryn
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