Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters has a critical offseason in front of him in 2026. After shocking the world and going 12-5 in 2024, his first year as a GM, the Commanders tumbled in 2025 and are currently 4-11 heading into Week 17.

Peters must reshape the NFL’s oldest roster. The age was shown in 2025, with Washington being besieged by injuries on both sides of the ball. Young players regressed and second-year head coach Dan Quinn had to take over defensive play-calling, meaning the Commanders will be looking for a new defensive coordinator this offseason.

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Peters will likely have a top-10 pick to work with and plenty of cap space. Instead of signing so many older players to one-year deals, Peters must target younger free agents coming off their first contracts, much as he did with center Tyler Biadasz in 2024. The problem is that some of the better free agents will likely never hit the market, as teams look to lock them up before March.

One such potential free agent is Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce.

Washington badly needs to give Terry McLaurin some help. Deebo Samuel could return, but is more suited to a WR3 role at this stage of his career. The Commanders and quarterback Jayden Daniels need someone who can take the pressure off McLaurin and win at multiple levels. That’s the 6-foot-3, 211-pound Pierce, who is 25. If you were watching the Week 16 edition of Monday Night Football, you would’ve seen Pierce lighting up the 49ers’ secondary for two touchdowns.

Pierce would not only give the Commanders an immediate threat opposite McLaurin, but a player who can grow with Daniels for years to come. He would also reduce Washington’s need to use its top pick on a wide receiver, instead focusing on defense.

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Pierce’s performance on Monday is not what will get him paid. It’s how other teams project his future success. The Colts haven’t necessarily been a pass-heavy team during Pierce’s four seasons. The offense goes through All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor. Michael Pittman is currently Indianapolis’ No. 1 receiver, but he’ll be a free agent in 2027. So, a general glance at Pierce’s number will not wow you. His four catches on Monday night gave him 43 on the season — a new career high. He has four touchdowns on the season, after catching a career-high seven last season. For his career, Pierce averages over 18 yards per reception.

Pierce has the size and speed to win downfield, which is why he makes so many big plays. He’d immediately be a game-changer for the Commanders.

It’s interesting that the Colts haven’t locked up Pierce yet. Perhaps they wanted to see more, which is understandable. He will command over $20 million annually. Is that a move the Colts want to make?

If Indianapolis chooses to let Pierce hit free agency, his contract numbers could get ridiculous. Good, young receivers often don’t hit free agency. In the past two years, Peters has seemed uncomfortable paying premium prices. That needs to change in 2025, for the right player, of course. Could Pierce be the right player?

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If he makes it to free agency, Washington should immediately be in the mix.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Colts star should be top free-agent target