Mike Vrabel didn’t waste time making waves in New England. In his first season at the helm, he brought in Stefon Diggs on a three-year deal-an aggressive move that paid off early.
Diggs delivered a 1,000-yard season and played a key role in the Patriots’ Super Bowl run, reminding everyone why he once earned All-Pro honors. But when the lights got brighter in the playoffs, his impact dimmed.
And now, with his salary set to balloon north of $26 million next season, the Patriots are facing a tough financial reality.
Diggs became a fan favorite in Foxboro, no doubt. But as the Patriots look to re-sign arguably the best cornerback in football and bolster a pass rush that still needs fine-tuning, that kind of cap hit just isn’t sustainable. It’s the classic balancing act: pay for what a player was, or build toward what the team needs to be.
That’s where Alec Pierce enters the conversation.
The 25-year-old wide receiver just quietly put together his first 1,000-yard season-no small feat considering the quarterback carousel he dealt with. Between Daniel Jones, Philip Rivers, and others under center, Pierce still found a way to shine in Indianapolis, showing off the kind of consistency and vertical threat that teams covet.
Now that his rookie deal is up, Pierce is due for a big payday. And there’s growing buzz that New England could be the team to give it to him.
NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry put it plainly: “Upgrade your weapons for Drake Maye, and I’m starting with one name in particular: Alec Pierce, who’s one of the most efficient deep threats in football. Pair him with a young quarterback who loves to throw the football down the field. He would be your X receiver for the foreseeable future.”
It’s a compelling fit. Pierce brings a physical, no-nonsense style to the position-exactly the kind of edge Mike Vrabel has been injecting into this roster.
He’s not just a vertical burner; he’s the kind of receiver who’s willing to block in the run game, fight for contested catches, and do the dirty work over the middle. That’s the kind of toughness that plays in New England.
Stylistically, Pierce profiles like a more athletic Mack Hollins-another physical wideout who thrives in tight spaces and doesn’t shy away from contact. Putting both on the field alongside a pair of tight ends gives offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels a personnel package that’s built for versatility and mismatch potential. It’s the kind of grouping that can keep defenses guessing and open up the deep ball for a quarterback like Maye, who isn’t afraid to take shots downfield.
“You still have Kayshon Boutte, who can do some of those same types of things, although he’s typically an X,” Perry added. “So, maybe this would mean less work for him if they were to sign Alec Pierce. But between Hollins, Pierce, Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Williams-that, to me, is a group that has speed and some explosive playmaking ability that pairs nicely with your explosive playmaking quarterback.”
That’s the bigger picture here. It’s not just about adding a receiver-it’s about building a complete, dynamic offense around your future at quarterback. If Drake Maye is the centerpiece, then Alec Pierce could be one of the finishing touches-a downfield weapon with the physical tools and mentality to thrive in New England’s evolving system.
The Patriots have some big decisions ahead. But if they’re looking for a cost-effective, high-upside alternative to Diggs, Pierce checks a lot of boxes.