The Indianapolis Colts are heading into a pivotal offseason, and two names sit squarely at the top of their to-do list: quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce. Both are set to hit free agency, and while the franchise tag remains a long-shot option for Pierce, it’s not entirely off the table-especially considering how the Colts have used it in the past to buy time and secure long-term deals.
Let’s start with Jones. The Colts don’t have a clear succession plan at quarterback, and with no first-round pick in either the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft, their options are limited.
That makes Jones, despite coming off a season-ending Achilles injury suffered in Week 14, a top priority. Before the injury, he was playing some of the best football of his career under head coach Shane Steichen.
The chemistry between the two was immediate, and it showed on the field. Jones looked comfortable in Steichen’s system, making smart reads, using his legs when needed, and showing command of the offense in a way that gave the Colts real momentum-until the injury derailed both his season and the team’s playoff hopes.
The Colts are expected to ramp up contract talks with Jones as the NFL Combine approaches. And while the Minnesota Vikings could re-enter the picture-having pursued Jones last offseason and now reportedly looking for a veteran to challenge or back up JJ McCarthy-it’s clear that Indianapolis has the inside track. They’ve seen firsthand what Jones can do in their system, and they may not want to risk letting him walk, even if the price tag is steep.
Then there’s Alec Pierce, who has quietly become one of the league’s most dangerous deep threats. The 25-year-old wideout led the NFL in yards per reception for the second straight year, and his 2025 campaign was his best yet: 47 catches, 1,003 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 15 games.
That’s a blistering 21.3 yards per catch-proof that Pierce isn’t just a vertical threat, he’s a game-changer. He stretches defenses, opens up space underneath, and forces safeties to think twice before creeping into the box.
Since being drafted in the second round back in 2022, Pierce has steadily developed into a complete receiver. Credit goes in part to Colts receivers coach Reggie Wayne, who’s helped Pierce expand his route tree and become more than just a go-route guy. Now, he’s attacking all three levels of the defense, and the results speak for themselves.
General manager Chris Ballard made it clear at his end-of-season press conference that keeping Pierce in Indy is a top priority. And while the franchise tag for wide receivers is projected to land somewhere between $25 and $28 million, the Colts have used it before-most notably on Michael Pittman Jr.-to buy time and hammer out a long-term deal. Spotrac projects Pierce’s market value at around four years, $81 million, and given his age, production, and upside, that feels about right.
But make no mistake: Pierce is going to have suitors. He’s entering free agency as arguably the league’s best deep-ball receiver, and teams that need a vertical threat will come calling. The Colts know this, which is why locking him up sooner rather than later is key.
Beyond Jones and Pierce, the Colts also have decisions to make on a handful of other free agents, including safety Nick Cross, offensive tackle Braden Smith, linebacker Germaine Pratt, edge rusher Samson Ebukam, and defensive end Kwity Paye. But none of those situations carry the same weight as the quarterback and WR1.
This offseason isn’t just about maintaining the status quo-it’s about building on a foundation that, when healthy, showed real promise. The Colts saw glimpses of what their offense could be with Jones under center and Pierce leading the receiving corps. Now, it’s about keeping that core intact and giving them the runway to take the next step.
The clock is ticking, but the path forward is clear. Keep your quarterback.
Keep your deep threat. And keep building.