The Kansas City Chiefs are fresh off another deep playoff run, but if there’s one area that clearly needs a jolt heading into the offseason, it’s the wide receiver room. Outside of Rashee Rice, the unit struggled to consistently produce in 2025-and that’s putting it mildly. For an offense led by Patrick Mahomes, the lack of reliable targets downfield has been a glaring issue.
While the 2026 NFL Draft offers a path to add young talent, there’s growing buzz that Kansas City could make a splash in free agency instead. One intriguing name on the market? Alec Pierce, the big-play wideout from the Indianapolis Colts.
Pierce is coming off a breakout season, racking up 1,003 receiving yards and six touchdowns. But it’s not just the raw numbers that stand out-it’s how he got them.
For the second straight year, Pierce led the league in yards per reception, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and flip the field in a heartbeat. That kind of explosiveness is exactly what the Chiefs have been missing since Tyreek Hill left town.
For Kansas City, the fit makes a lot of sense. The offense has leaned heavily on Travis Kelce and short-to-intermediate throws in recent years, but the lack of a consistent deep threat has limited Mahomes’ ability to fully weaponize his arm talent.
Pierce brings that vertical element back into the picture. At 25, he’s still entering his prime, and his ability to win on the outside would immediately command defensive attention-opening up space for Kelce, Rice, and the rest of the offense to operate.
Now, here’s the challenge: the Chiefs are projected to be $54 million over the cap. That’s a steep hill to climb.
But if there’s a front office that knows how to navigate the financial maze, it’s Kansas City’s. General manager Brett Veach has a history of cap gymnastics-restructuring deals, making strategic cuts, and finding creative ways to keep the core intact while adding talent.
Pierce isn’t going to come cheap. Spotrac projects his next deal at around $80 million over four years.
That’s a significant investment for a player with just one 1,000-yard season, but context matters. In a market thin on proven deep threats, and with Mahomes entering the back half of his prime, the Chiefs may decide it’s worth the price to reignite an offense that once struck fear into every defense in the league.
Signing Alec Pierce wouldn’t just be a move-it’d be a statement. A signal that Kansas City isn’t content with being good.
They want to be electric again. And with Mahomes under center, a receiver like Pierce could be the spark that brings the fireworks back to Arrowhead.