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The Colts may have to replace a key offensive weapon
The 2026 NFL Free Agency is slowly approaching, with teams starting to decide who will be the main priority to retain or acquire.
The Indianapolis Colts will likely focus on resigning Daniel Jones as the number one priority, who helped lead the team to a 7-1 record and was also on track to have his best season as a professional football player.
Due to limited resources for the upcoming offseason, including not having a first-round pick in this year’s draft after using it to trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner, Indy will be limited in the moves the team can make.
The Colts have multiple key players on expiring contracts, but due to financial constraints, are unlikely to retain them.
One of those players is Alec Pierce, who recorded his first 1,000-yard season despite having three different quarterbacks throwing to him.
The wide receiver is set to become a free agent in the upcoming offseason, with the Colts likely moving forward without him and having to find a replacement.
Signing Former All-Rookie
GettyThe Colts may have to go out and sign a new receiving threat
Alec Pierce was the best-performing receiver on the Indianapolis Colts this season, having the most receiving yards and the second-most touchdown receptions on the team.
Pro Football Focus names Pierce as the 10th-best free agent and projects that the former second-round draft pick will get a four-year, $96 million contract in the offseason.
The Colts will have around $35.5 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, which puts the team in a difficult place to extend the wide receiver.
Fox Sports reporter Greg Auman predicts that Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk could be a possible replacement for Pierce.
“Kirk, 29, disappeared for much of the 2025 season in Houston, then flashed in the playoffs, with eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown in a win over the [Pittsburgh] Steelers. He’d totaled 104 yards in the previous nine games, mind you, but some team will think they can bring back 2022 Kirk — 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns with the [Jacksonville] Jaguars,” Auman wrote.
“He’ll likely cost a third of the $18 million a year he got on his last contract, so there’s a chance for value. Perhaps to the Colts if Alec Pierce takes a big payday elsewhere?”
This is good news for Indy, who will need a proven wide receiver if Pierce were to leave the organization.
Christian Kirk has recorded five seasons with 600 receiving yards or more, which could benefit the Colts, as multiple players are also entering the final year of their current contracts next season.
The wide receiver has accrued over 5,000 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns throughout his career. On the downside, Kirk has played in only two full seasons since entering the league in 2018, compared to Pierce, who has missed four games in his career so far.
But if Indy can land Kirk around the $6 million range, it would be a steal for Shane Steichen’s offense.
Christian Kirk Getting Paired With Former First Rounder
GettyThe Colts get some good news regarding the offense
The Indianapolis Colts may have found their answer at quarterback after multiple seasons without a viable long-term solution.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Colts and Daniel Jones have begun contract negotiations to keep the player for the 2026 season.
The insider mentions that if both parties are unable to reach a deal, then the Colts will place the franchise tag on the quarterback.
Either way, Indianapolis appears to have find their answer on a potential franchise quarterback that can lead the team for the next few years.
Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
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