The 2025 NFL season took fans of the Indianapolis Colts on a roller coaster ride with unexpected highs and, unfortunately, lows that those same fans have been used to in recent memory. Once the talk of the NFL with a 7-1 record, injuries to key players such as Daniel Jones, DeForest Buckner, and Charvarius Ward took their toll and derailed any hopes of making the playoffs.
Star running back Jonathan Taylor was a bright spot, as usual, for the Colts as he was able to carve up opposing defenses to pile up yardage and touchdown totals that had him in the NFL MVP conversation for a majority of the season. Rookie TE Tyler Warren proved to be a star in the making as he excelled in pass catching, run blocking, and the occasional ball carrier role.
There is, however, one player who is a fan favorite and has proven to be invaluable for Indianapolis. Wide receiver Alec Pierce has been the playmaker the team needs at that position and is always exciting to watch. Pierce has been a deep-ball threat and made unbelievable catches to put Indianapolis in scoring position many times.
Indianapolis Colts' Alec Pierce is deserving of a big payday
Pierce is in the final season of his rookie contract and is due to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season. He played at a high level in both the 2024 and 2025 NFL seasons, which means he will be a coveted free agent target by several teams should he hit the market. Alec Pierce could be looking at a big payday with a contract approaching $20 million per year, a possibility.
Checking in at 6' 3", Pierce has the legitimate downfield speed and body control that would make him highly sought after by many teams around the NFL. Not only can he track deep passes, but he can also high point the 50/50 balls as well, which makes opposing defenses respect him even when he's not targeted.
Alec Pierce has never been the featured option in the Colts offense, which has led to him being underutilized as the team favored players like Michael Pitman Jr. and Josh Downs ahead of Pierce. With Taylor running the ball so effectively, Alec has been able to show flashes of brilliance instead of being the star of the show.
Pierce can produce without rhythm or stability, and this will stand out to teams around the league who can make him the focal point of their passing attack. He's the type of player who doesn't need a "perfect system" to make big plays, which makes him a wide receiver that teams can benefit from.
The Indianapolis Colts know what they have in Alec Pierce. But the team is dealing with quarterback uncertainty and financial decisions that may make it tough to keep Pierce in a Colts uniform beyond 2025. Testing the waters in free agency could give Pierce the chance to have a clearer role and consistent targets. Sometimes good players leave simply because timing and direction don't align.