Indianapolis Colts FA WR Alec Pierce is returning to Indy on a 4-year $114 million deal ($28.5 million AAV). This was tidy business done by the Colts to bring back their WR1 for many years to come. Some are saying this is an over pay, but these are casual fans we are talking about. Pierce has ascended every year in Indy and he finally broke out last year, proving to be a perfect fit and an Alpha WR in HC Shane Steichen’s system. Pierce will be the 11th highest paid WR in the league based on his AAV, which is not bad at all considering he played like a top-10 WR last year, and he even vowed that his best is yet to come. I see Alec becoming even better and becoming a 1500 yard, 12 TD, 100 receptions type player across a full- season. He has already become QB Daniel Jones’ favourite target and the go-to player in crunch-time situations. He is also an enthusiastic run blocker which is a very proven asset!
In a corresponding move, Indy traded WR Michael Pittman Jr. and his $29 million cap hit to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a late-round pick swap. The important thing here is that Indy got cap relief and that contract off the books as MPJ just simply wasn’t worth that money anymore. Most targets will go to Alec Pierce and TE Tyler Warren and the rest to WR Josh Downs, RB Jonathan Taylor and probably a rookie WR3. This money will be used to upgrade the roster.
While many were stressing that Pierce was going to test free agency, I had no doubt Ballard would bring back his stud WR, and now Indy fans can rest easy knowing that last year’s historic offense will continue on its glorious path.
