Report: Colts still trying to re-sign WR Alec Pierce—as contract talks ‘go down to wire’

NFL free agency is set to begin on Monday when the “Legal tampering” phase starts, and teams are allowed to negotiate contracts with unrestricted free agents. Teams can’t officially sign an unrestricted free agent until the first day of the new league year on March 11th.

The Indianapolis Colts have plenty of free agents that are set to hit the open market, but their efforts appear to be focused on re-signing two, quarterback Daniel Jones, who they transition tagged earlier in the week and wide receiver

Alec Pierce, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported today that the team is still trying to negotiate a contract with Alec Pierce to prevent him from being able to test the free agent market tomorrow. Fowler reports the negotiations could “go down to the wire”:

“Expect negotiations between Alec Pierce and the Colts to go down to the wire as the team tries to keep him off Monday’s open market,” writes Fowler.

“That’s going to be a challenge. Pierce appears poised to make at least $27 million per year on a new deal. The Patriots, Commanders, Raiders and Titans are among teams in the mix.”

“What helps Indy’s case is that Pierce is close with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and, if everything is equal, would like to stay in Indianapolis. There’s still hope for Indy, but Pierce’s market will dictate his direction. His upside and penchant for chunk yardage are attractive to teams.”

Pierce has boosted him stock immensely over the last few years and looks set to cash in on a big payday whether that’s in Indianapolis or elsewhere in the free agent market.

Fowler reports “Pierce appears poised to make at least $27 million per year on a new deal.” He lists multiple teams as potential landing spots for Pierce including: New England, Washington, Las Vegas, and Tennessee.

However, the Colts still have a fighter’s shot to re-sign him as of this late weekend before he hits the open market.