Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard held his season-end press conference this week, and he clearly understood how he was supposed to posture himself. Gone was any hint of arrogance, and instead, he stated he needed to do better moving forward. He was right.
He was also asked a number of questions about the future of the team, including impending free agents. In terms of quarterback Daniel Jones, the GM spoke as if it was assumed the QB would return. Let's hope that is what actually happens.
In terms of Alec Pierce, Ballard got brutally honest about the wide receiver's cap on production. He wants to bring Pierce back, of course, and Ballard wanted to make sure he was clear on that point.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Alec Pierce is a priority in free agency
"I’ve always believed in Alec Pierce," Ballard said. "…the quarterback situation has kind of hindered him at times…Alec’s a priority."
The general manager is right, obviously. Pierce was chosen in the 2022 NFL draft and has the size and speed to be a difference-maker, both for the Colts and every other team that might want to sign him. And make no mistake, lots of teams will want to sign the wideout.
He has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons, yet he has never had more than 50 catches. Indy does have several quality wide receivers for quarterbacks to throw to, and that has minimized how much Pierce has been targeted, but he was still just fourth in targets in 2025, and that is unacceptable for a receiver of Pierce's potential explosiveness.
Ballard was also very much aware of how much cap space the team had, but wasn't worried about how much it would cost to bring Jones and Pierce back. Unless something changes, however, the quarterback and wide receiver would likely chew up a lot of Indianapolis's projected $53 million in cap room.
Indy could make room in other ways. Wide receiver Michael Pittman's cap hit is a ridiculous $29 million in 2026. He is a good receiver, but his production doesn't come close to matching that amount of money. Should the team release him, the Indianapolis Colts would save $24 million.
The team could also potentially extend him and decrease his cap hit for next season. That might be the wiser move, depending on the monetary value of the deal.
Still, Alec Pierce must be a priority, to use Chris Ballard's words, in free agency, even if that means letting another player go. Few wide receivers in the NFL are 6'3" like Pierce with elite speed. The Colts need Pierce back and to find a way to use him more in the future.