Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce appeared on "Up & Adams" and expressed interest in exploring the free agent market.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts are under tremendous pressure right now, with their two most critical free agents potentially set to enter the open market.
On Tuesday, the Colts placed the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, which is an offer of a one-year deal worth over $37 million. Meanwhile, both Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce remain without long-term contracts with the team as the Colts continue to negotiate with the players' representation.
The NFL's free agent market opens on Mon. March 9 at 12:00 p.m. ET, as teams may begin negotiating with outside free agents. If the Colts can't get something figured out with Pierce before then, he is prepared to test the market.
On Wednesday, Pierce appeared on "Up & Adams" with host Kay Adams to discuss his upcoming free agency.
"I love Indy. I love playing there. Great organization, great people in the city, just a ton of support. I know we haven't been as good as we could be, and I know we can be," Pierce said. "At this point, I've kind of earned the right to explore free agency and see what's out there, and make a decision that's best for my career and my family."
When Adams asked Pierce what important factors he would weigh when choosing his next destination, he said he wanted more pass targets and a larger role in the passing game, which is inherently expected with a large contract.
However, the quarterback situation is also critical for Pierce. The Colts took the first step by tagging Jones, but it appears as if Pierce still wants to see a multi-year contract done for Jones.
"Definitely quarterback play and stability," Pierce said about what's important to him. "Stability in a franchise, you know, like winning culture, things like that, I'd say, are probably the most important.
"Being in Indy, I've played with a ton of different quarterbacks, and I think they're on the way to figuring that out with Daniel if they can get a long-term deal done with him, because I believe in him a ton as a quarterback. I think I've understood the battles that come with not having that stability, so I think as a free agent, that's something that I would look into a lot."
As for the timing of Pierce potentially re-signing with the Colts, he said he and his representation expected to ramp things up with the Colts after Jones' situation was resolved, which they considered addressed following the tag designation.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard was asked about Jones and Pierce last week during the NFL Scouting Combine, and he sounded quite optimistic.
"Good. I've had great discussions about both of them," Ballard answered when asked about talks with Jones and Pierce. "We'll continue to work this week and see if we can get something done. It's been very positive. Look, when both sides are driven to get it done, it usually works out the right way."
"Alec Pierce — Alec knows this. His agents know it — Alec Pierce, I've always believed he's excellent," Ballard later stated. "He's a really freaking good player. He makes really big plays for us, and he's still young. He's 25 years old. So yeah, (the desire to re-sign Pierce) goes both ways."
Pierce has become one of Ballard's most frequently mentioned examples for draft-and-develop success stories, but has also become the team's best receiver. The biggest difference-maker in the Colts' passing offense has been Pierce, who, for two consecutive years, has led the NFL in yards per catch, culminating in his first 1,000-yard season in 2025. Pierce is improving as an all-around receiver, but his ability to take the top off of defenses is unmatched.
Pierce's side and the Colts will continue to work toward keeping the receiver in Indianapolis.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.