Alec Pierce Contract: Colts Sign WR to Record $116M Deal as NFL Free Agency Opens
Alec Pierce is staying in Indianapolis. The 25-year-old wide receiver agreed to a four-year, $116 million contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, March 9, moments after the NFL legal tampering window opened — choosing loyalty over a potentially larger payday elsewhere.
Alec Pierce Contract Details: $116 Million Makes Him Highest-Paid Free Agent WR in NFL History
The four-year, $116 million Alec Pierce contract carries an average annual value of $29 million, the highest ever for a free-agent wide receiver. The deal includes $84 million in guarantees, with $60 million fully guaranteed at signing.
Among the teams that showed serious interest in Pierce were the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers. Pierce turned down more money elsewhere to remain in Indianapolis, a decision that underscores his belief in the Colts' direction.
"I knew where my heart was," Pierce said on the Pat McAfee Show. "I love the city of Indianapolis. I truly believed we were the No. 1 team in the NFL early last season. I believe in Daniel, and I think we can be special."
Alec Pierce's 2025 Season: Back-to-Back NFL Yards Per Reception Titles
Pierce has led the NFL in yards per reception in each of the last two seasons. He finished 2025 with career highs in catches (47) and receiving yards (1,003) with six touchdowns, averaging 21.3 yards per catch across 17 games.
Pierce became the first player to score six or more receiving touchdowns while averaging 20-plus yards per reception in consecutive seasons since Pro Football Hall of Famer James Lofton accomplished the feat in 1983 and 1984.
Despite the Colts cycling through nine different quarterbacks during his four-year career, Pierce remained the team's most dangerous downfield target and forced defensive units to stretch coverage on every snap.
Michael Pittman Jr. Trade Opens the Door for Alec Pierce to Become the Colts' Clear No. 1
The re-signing came just before the Colts agreed to trade No. 1 wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, meaning Pierce's role is likely to expand significantly as he embarks on his new contract.
Pittman averaged 6.5 targets per game last season, so his departure gives Pierce more opportunities in the passing game. Colts general manager Chris Ballard now has a clear WR1 locked up heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
"Alec Pierce, I've always believed in," Ballard said. "He's excellent. He's a really good player, and he's still young. He's 25 years old."
Daniel Jones Transition Tag and the QB Picture in Indianapolis
The recovery timeline for Jones — who underwent surgery in December to repair a torn right Achilles suffered in Week 14 — is six to eight months, putting him in a position to be fully cleared for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
The Colts placed the transition tag on Jones to retain short-term stability under center, a move that gave Pierce enough confidence to commit long term. The tag gives Jones a fully guaranteed one-year, $37.83 million salary while allowing him to negotiate with other teams, with Indianapolis retaining the right to match any offer.
Pierce staying in Indianapolis preserves the chemistry he built with Jones during the Colts' 8-2 start to the 2025 season before the quarterback's injury derailed their playoff hopes.
The Alec Pierce contract sets a new benchmark for free-agent wide receivers and signals that the Indianapolis Colts are fully committed to building their offense around one of the NFL's most explosive playmakers heading into 2026.
