The Indianapolis Colts decided not to make any coaching staff changes or executive moves after the season, so, almost oddly, this means they need to hope there aren't too many player moves either. If Indy ownership thought the team was good enough in the first part of the season, the players who helped with that success should return.
But not all the player decisions are in the team's control. Quarterback Daniel Jones and right tackle Braden Smith are unrestricted free agents. So is wide receiver Alec Pierce. The team could probably let Smith walk as rookie Jalen Travis looked good at right tackle late in the season.
If Jones doesn't return, the Colts might have few answers for QB1. Anthony Richardson hasn't proven worthy in his three-year career, and the team doesn't seem to fully trust Riley Leonard. But whoever the quarterback is, they will need good wide receivers in whom to throw the ball.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce projected to potentially land with the Pittsburgh Steelers
It is Pierce that should be the team's second-greatest concern in free agency. He has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons. He should ask for at least $20 million a season in free agency, and while Indy might be able to afford that, so can other teams.
One of those other teams is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who would love to have the kind of player to replace George Pickens that they traded to the Dallas Cowboys last offseason. Pittsburgh still has DK Metcalf, of course, but he needs the kind of help to be good that Pierce would provide.
According to Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox, Pittsburgh is one of two teams that could potentially steal Pierce from the Colts. The other is the Tennessee Titans. The wide receiver going to Nashville would be difficult for Indy fans, of course, because Tennessee is an AFC South rival and the Colts would have to face Pierce twice a season.
But the Steelers are likely the greater threat in 2026. The Titans are likely a couple of seasons away from competing for the playoffs, but the hope is that, should the team get luckier in terms of health, the Indianapolis Colts would get back to the postseason next year. They could face the Steelers there, and, potentially, wide receiver Alec Pierce.
Let's hope that never comes to fruition, though. In 2026, Daniel Jones should be back in Lucas Oil Stadium, throwing long passes to Alec Pierce. That would be the ideal.