The Indianapolis Colts should have two priorities in free agency. One is re-signing quarterback Daniel Jones, and the other is bringing back wide receiver Alec Pierce, but Pierce might be looking for a team that is unlike Indy: He wants stability at QB.
That might happen if Jones re-signs after the team recently applied the transition tag to him. He can still sign elsewhere, and if Indianapolis doesn't match the deal, the Colts get nothing in return for Jones. That doesn't help the team or Pierce.
Since Pierce was drafted in 2022, he has had a different starting quarterback taking the majority of reps each season. In his first season, Matt Ryan was QB1, in year two, Gardner Minshew became the starter due to rookie Anthony Richardson getting hurt, in Pierce's third season, the team had two starters, Richardson and Joe Flacco, and then it was Daniel Jones last season.
Indianapolis Colts' Alec Pierce drops the brutal truth about what he is looking for in free agency
Pierce is a fan of Jones and hopes he returns, of course, but by the time the quarterback hears offers from other teams and makes a final decision, Pierce could be gone. The wide receiver is going to get paid a lot of money and should go to the highest bidder, all the while waiting for the Colts to finalize the stability with Jones that Pierce craves.
On a recent episode of the Up and Adams show, Pierce was asked what he is looking for in free agency, and the receiver answered, "Stability in a franchise. You know? Winning culture...Being in Indy, I’ve played with a ton of different quarterbacks."
Indianapolis has had the same general manager, Chris Ballard, since Pierce was drafted in the second round of 2022, but two head coaches (Shane Steichen has had the job for the last three seasons). As much credit as Ballard gets for roster building, he definitely hasn't had a keen eye for the most important position: Quarterback.
Plus, Ballard's roster-building is obviously overrated, or his team would have made the postseason more than twice in his nine years as GM. In turn, the Colts don't have another aspect Pierce wants: A winning culture. No playoff appearances since 2020 is not a winning culture.
Timing is going to be everything for the Indianapolis Colts in the next week. A long-term deal might need to be worked out with Daniel Jones before Alec Pierce signs the same.
Jones and Pierce are almost certain to talk with other teams, though, and due to Jones coming off an Achilles tendon tear in Week 14, making him iffy for the start of next season, Jones might not be the first of the two to sign.
Indy could definitely be looking at Alec Pierce walking in free agency. That might have worked out differently had Chris Ballard been a lot more aggressive in trying to work out a deal with Jones during the season.