The Indianapolis Colts were 7-1 at one point during the 2025 NFL Season, and at that time, everything felt right, and it finally felt like the roster was coming together. The offense was top-tier and explosive, and the defense was holding its own.
Obviously, a collapse ensued, and the Colts managed to win just one more game the rest of the way. Now facing a make-or-break campaign in 2026, you get the sense that double-digit wins and a playoff berth are likely the expectations for this franchise to prevent major change from taking place.
Indianapolis ranked 8th in points per game on offense in 2025, so that should be something they continue to lead into for 2026. Much of their offensive success was also due to someone who could be flying under the radar as an underrated player.
Is Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce underrated?
Only set to play in his age-26 season, wide receiver Alec Pierce had quite the season in 2025. Despite catching fewer than 50 passes, Pierce managed to finish with 1,003 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 66.9 yards per game, and hitting these marks in 15 games.
Pierce re-upped with the Colts on a four-year deal that makes him the 13th highest-paid player at the position on a per-year basis, which is quite the raise. Despite barely eclipsing 1,000 yards, Pierce landed a massive deal. However, are we not giving him enough credit?
Pierce has led the NFL in yards per reception in each of the last two seasons, averaging 22.3 yards per catch in 2024 and 21.3 yards per catch in 2025. Pro Football Reference also notes that he had a 106.2 passer rating when targeted in 2024 and a 112.4 passer rating when targeted in 2025.
During 2024 and 2025, he had just four drops and has been as sure-handed as some of the league's best since entering the NFL. Not only that, but the size and speed combination make him an elite vertical and physical threat.
Kristopher Knox reinforces these points further: "However, Pierce possesses something that few other NFL receivers do. His combination of size (6'3", 211 lbs), elite speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash), and sure hands makes him a legitimate big-play threat.
"Pierce's production jumped alongside the emergence of quarterback Daniel Jones in 2025, and he posted his first 1,000-yard campaign. However, he consistently flashed his deep-threat ability since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2022. In each of the past two seasons, Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch."
Given how odd things have been for the Colts since that 7-1 start, which included new contracts for Pierce and Daniel Jones that some think were massive overpays, the infrastructure is still there for this team to be a top-10 offensive unit.
We did see a sustainable product on that side of the ball in 2025. Sure, simply hoping the offense remains top-10 is a flawed way of thinking, but the Colts do have all of the proper personnel in place, and despite Pierce not having jaw-dropping production, even during his career year in 2025, he has the potential to continue his rapid ascension.
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