The New York Jets are hiring former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich to be their new offensive coordinator. Reich might not have turned out to be the best HC, but few doubt he can lead a quality offense. New York will be better with the former Indy coach.
The potential issue for Indy is if some of the players that Reich helped draft in his four-plus seasons with the team choose to leave in free agency and reunite with their former coach. All of the players below are offensive ones, because the Jets will want to get better, of course, and Reich will want to have players he knows will do well.
Should any of the players who follow leave the Colts, it could lead to yet another theft by the Jets of Indianapolis. Getting Sauce Gardner in a trade this season from New York might turn out to be great. So might the two first-round draft picks general manager Chris Ballard gave the Jets to get the cornerback.
Three Indianapolis Colts who might follow Frank Reich to the New York Jets
Wide receiver Michael Pittman, Jr.
Michael Pittman is still under contract for 2026, but the team keeping him could have an impact on a player later on this list. Pittman's cap hit of $29 million is far too high, and when his deal was signed, that number was probably always going to cause problems.
Releasing him would save the team $24 million, and even with a higher salary cap, Indy likely needs to create cap room in order to compete in bidding for other free agents. Everybody's cap ceiling will be higher, after all.
Pittman spent his first two-plus seasons playing under Reich, and the wide receiver would know how the new Jets' offensive coordinator's system works. He would find his niche and likely be highly successful.
Offensive lineman Danny Pinter
Pinter hasn't yet been a full-time starter in the NFL, but he does offer the kind of positional flexibility that any team needs. He won't play tackle, but likely could play either guard spot and center. New York needs help and depth at all those spots.
Like with Pittman, Pinter would also understand what Reich needs in his blocking scheme. While he might not be expected to be a starter (though he might), he would be able to teach other linemen how the system works. Every coach can use a player who can be a voice of reason for his fellow teammates.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce
The biggest loss for the Indianapolis Colts, even beyond Pittman, would be Pierce, the receiver who has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons. In fact, should Indianapolis release Pittman, saving the $24 million by doing so, could help Indy retain Pierce. That might be the right move.
Still, Reich knew what he liked about Pierce in the 2022 NFL draft, and it is unlikely the wide receiver has done anything since being drafted that Reich wouldn't like. The New York Jets need to add explosiveness, and Alec Pierce would supply that. New York is also projected to have the fourth-most cap room this offseason, with plenty of money to sign Pierce.