Rising NFC contender had Alec Pierce in crosshairs before Colts sealed the deal

The Indianapolis Colts and their fanbase would have been reeling in devastation had Alec Pierce walked in free agency to sign elsewhere. Thankfully, this is a reality that never came to pass after Pierce agreed to a four-year, $116 million deal with Indianapolis on the first day of free agency. 

Pierce was at the very top of the Colts' list of priorities this offseason, so getting it taken care of swiftly, as they did, locking their standout wideout for the next several seasons, was a massive sigh of relief inside and outside Lucas Oil Stadium. 

That's not to say Pierce didn't have suitors elsewhere across the NFL, because he did. In fact, one of the Colts' division rivals, the Tennessee Titans, was heavily rumored to want Pierce, which would have made the Colts' lives miserable. Aside from the Titans, however, one NFC team that's on the rise thanks to a young quarterback was closer than most in stealing Pierce, according to an NFL insider.

ESPN NFL insider reported the Commanders were close to signing the Indianapolis Colts' Alec Pierce in free agency

Had the Colts not pursued Pierce, and had he not chosen to return, the Washington Commanders were in very strong contention to sign him, according to ESPN's John Keim. Pierce would have made for more than just an ideal candidate to pair with rising star quarterback Jayden Daniels. 

Daniels has some of the highest upside across the league among the younger crop of quarterbacks trying to revive franchises and carry them forward. Daniels hasn't had a star wide receiver just yet. Terry McLaurin is a very good receiver, but not necessarily a star-powered one. 

On top of that, Deebo Samuel is currently a free agent and still unsigned, and the Commanders are likely not bringing him back, leaving Daniels in need of another wideout to toss the football to. Pierce would have immediately stepped in and made Daniels' life much easier.

Unfortunately for him and the Commanders, Pierce chose another path. That said, Keim believes that had the Colts not come through, the Commanders would have. 

So while the Commanders are still in search mode for wide receiver help, the Colts, on the other hand, have their man locked up for four years. That said, having traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Colts might also be searching for a No. 2 wideout to line up on the other side of Pierce. 

They sure could use some depth at wide out, even if it's a smaller-scale signing. Pierce will be the solidified No. 1, but he may not be enough. That is, of course, if the Colts see Josh Downs as a strong enough option for the No. 2 spot, and he very well could be. All in all, the Colts do have a solid weapons case for Daniel Jones, Tyler Warren, and Jonathan Taylor, included. 

At the end of the day, fans in Indianapolis can count their stars that the Commanders, or any other teams that were in the running to sign Pierce, missed their chance. Pierce's heart was with the Colts, as he would state after re-signing, and it can be something special for the Colts moving forward.