The Indianapolis Colts are heading into a pivotal offseason, and there’s no room for complacency. Under general manager Chris Ballard, the franchise has made the playoffs just twice in ten years-and not once since 2020.
That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when every other team in the AFC South has claimed the division crown at least twice during that same stretch. The message is clear: it’s time to get back in the fight.
This offseason isn’t just about adding new talent-it’s about keeping the core pieces already in place. And at the top of that list?
Quarterback Daniel Jones. He’s still young, still developing, and still capable of being the long-term answer under center for the Colts.
But availability is everything in this league. If Jones can stay healthy, there’s a foundation to build on.
Then there’s Alec Pierce, the 6'3", 210-pound wide receiver with blazing speed and big-play ability. He’s been a consistent deep threat and has led the league in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons.
That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed-and it doesn’t come cheap. Pierce is expected to command a contract north of $20 million annually on a multi-year deal.
Based on his performance, he’s earned every penny.
But here’s where things get tricky for Indianapolis. According to NFL analyst Zachary Pereles, Pierce might not be wearing a Colts uniform in 2026. In fact, Pereles projects that Pierce could land with the Washington Commanders in free agency, while also listing the Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and Pittsburgh Steelers as potential suitors-along with the Colts, of course.
That’s a tough scenario for Indy to consider. Losing your most explosive receiver is bad enough.
Watching him torch your defense in a playoff game? That’s the nightmare.
Three of those four teams play in the AFC. If Pierce signs with one of them and helps elevate their offense, the Colts could be staring across the field at a familiar face when it matters most.
Financially, not all of those teams are in position to make a splash. The Bills, for example, are currently in the red when it comes to cap space, per Spotrac.
They’d have to get creative-cutting or restructuring key contracts-to make room for a player like Pierce. That’s not impossible, but it’s a lot of maneuvering.
The Colts, on the other hand, have options. They’ve got the cap space to make a deal work, especially if they revisit Michael Pittman Jr.’s contract and find some flexibility there. Letting Pierce walk, especially when you have the means to retain him, would raise serious questions about the direction of the franchise-and about Ballard’s future as GM.
This is a defining offseason for Indianapolis. The team has a chance to reassert itself in a competitive division, but that starts with smart decisions-keeping the right players, building around them, and showing that this front office is ready to win now.
Alec Pierce has the talent to be a cornerstone piece for years to come. Letting him walk would be more than just a personnel loss-it would be a missed opportunity at a time when the Colts can’t afford many more.