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A former Washington Commanders player backs a “redundant” Terry McLaurin plan for 2026 NFL free agency.
Signing a big-play wide receiver in 2026 NFL free agency might be “redundant” for the Washington Commanders when they already have Terry McLaurin, but a former player for the franchise still believes his old team should pursue an “explosive” target on the veteran market.
It’s an idea from ex-NFL tight end Logan Paulsen, who spent five seasons in Washington during an eight-year pro career. He told JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports how new offensive coordinator “David Blough said he wants to get more explosive, and it’s hard to be more explosive than Alec Pierce…Is that a little redundant with Terry? Possibly. it just depends on the price point.”
Talking free agency w @LoganPaulsenNFL: “David Blough said he wants to get more explosive, and it’s hard to be more explosive than Alec Peirce…Is that a little redundant with Terry? Possibly. it just depends on the price point.”
This is far from the first time Pierce has been mentioned as a viable target for the Commanders. Signing the Indianapolis Colts wideout has merit because he’s a natural field-stretcher who can fit how Blough is changing the offense around star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Yet, the caveat here, as Paulsen noted, is the potential price tag. Things get more complicated when the Commanders have to balance McLaurin’s future earnings against Pierce’s next contract.
Alec Pierce Represents Future-Proof Value
Pierce can expect to get paid this offseason, as a 6-foot-3, 211-pound speedster who just banked his first 1,000-yard season in the pros. Those factors are why Finlay told franchise legend Brian Mitchell on 106.7 The Fan, Pierce’s next deal “is probably $30 mill, aav.” Finlay also believes “you’re guaranteeing money on a third year in that.”
It’s a hefty price tag, but there’s a reason why spending now can save the Commanders a bundle in the future. Specifically, how the Commanders are currently on the hook to hand McLaurin a ton of money sooner rather than later.
The situation was explained to Finlay and Mitchell on 106.7 The Fan by ESPN’s John Keim. He pointed out “Terry, obviously, is costing a lot, and the next year though, in ’27, his cap hit is around $34, 35 million. That’s not sustainable.”
Adding Pierce this offseason would ensure the Commanders have a ready-made replacement for McLaurin, should his contract be dumped a year from now.
Pierce can do the things McLaurin does best. Namely, beat coverage deep from outside the numbers. A talent that’s set to be a bigger part of Blough’s new-look offense.
Commanders Need Terry McLaurin Support
Blough wants to increase McLaurin’s target share, but manufacturing more sudden strikes through the air will also be a priority. Pierce would be the ideal player to make this change happen after getting 25 deep targets last season and averaging 19 yards per target, according to Player Profiler.
This 50-yard grab against the Tennessee Titans back in Week 8 is a prime example of what Pierce brings to an offense.
Daniels will get more opportunities to hit this play when he’s operating from under center. Better disguising run-pass intent will create extra shots off play-action for a signal-caller who threw a mere 46 play-action passes on the watch of Blough’s predecessor Kliff Kingsbury, per Pro Football Reference.
Expect Daniels to execute more fakes this year and hopefully target more chunk completions. In this context, using some of the fifth-highest salary cap space in the league to acquire Pierce wouldn’t be redundant with McLaurin leading the way.
Pierce would give this new plan a greater chance of success.
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko
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