Why Alec Pierce Should Be at the Top of the Patriots’ Offseason Wish List
The Patriots’ season may have ended in heartbreak, but the bigger picture tells a different story: this team is ahead of schedule. A young quarterback in Drake Maye, a new head coach in Mike Vrabel, and a defense that showed up when it mattered - there’s plenty to build on.
But if New England wants to stay in the contender conversation, they need to get serious about fixing the offense. And that starts with giving Maye a legitimate deep threat.
Enter Alec Pierce.
The Patriots are projected to have about $42 million in cap space - 11th-most in the league - and that number could grow with a few financial maneuvers. That puts them in a strong position to be a player in free agency, and Pierce should be near the top of their list.
Let’s talk about what makes Pierce such an intriguing fit. He’s not just fast - he’s explosive.
He led the league in yards per catch (21.3) for the second year in a row, and his career average of 18.7 yards per reception puts him in elite company. He’s the kind of vertical threat that forces defenses to respect the deep ball, opening up everything underneath.
And he’s doing this without being the focal point of the Colts’ offense. Even as a secondary option, Pierce put up 1,003 receiving yards on just 47 catches this season, finding the end zone six times.
That’s efficiency you can’t ignore - 66.9 yards per game on 85 targets. If you give him a bigger role, the production should follow.
That’s exactly what he’d get in New England. With a relatively thin receiver room, Pierce would step in as the Patriots’ WR1 from Day 1.
There’s still some uncertainty around Stefon Diggs’ future with the team - moving on from him would free up $22 million in cap space - but regardless of what happens there, pairing Pierce with Maye makes a lot of sense. If Diggs stays, Pierce gives them a dynamic one-two punch.
If he goes, Pierce becomes the go-to guy in a young offense looking for an identity.
This is where Eliot Wolf comes in. As the Patriots’ de facto GM, he has the resources and the flexibility to make a move like this.
And he should. Because the truth is, Super Bowl windows don’t stay open forever.
Teams that lose the big game often struggle to get back. The difference between teams that fade and teams that reload?
Aggressive decision-making in the offseason.
Head coach Mike Vrabel has brought toughness and stability to Foxborough. The defense is already playing at a high level.
Now it’s time to give Maye the kind of weapon that can change games. Alec Pierce isn’t just a nice addition - he’s the kind of player who could tilt the field and elevate the entire offense.
If the Patriots want to keep building momentum - and keep their Super Bowl aspirations alive - this is the kind of move that gets them there.