Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is headed to free agency, a “right” the 25-year-old told Kay Adams he’s “earned.”
The Colts couldn’t come to an agreement with Pierce on a new long-term deal before Tuesday afternoon and opted to place the transition tag on Daniel Jones, leaving Pierce headed to the open market.
And when Pierce, 25, joined “Up & Adams” on Wednesday, he seemed set on hitting free agency.
“At this point now, it’s like, I love Indy. I’ve loved playing there — great organization, great people in the city,” Pierce said. “Just a ton of support. I know we haven’t been as good as we could be, and I know we can be. But, yeah, at this point, I’ve kind of earned the right to explore free agency, see what’s out there. Just make a decision that’s best for my career and for my family.”
Pierce is coming off a season where he recorded a career-best 1,003 receiving yards on 47 catches.
He finished the 2025 season with six touchdown receptions, one less than he had the year before.
Reports have suggested that the Colts have not abandoned hope and that they and Pierce’s representatives have continued to talk.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday the Colts had made “an aggressive move” to sign Pierce before the franchise tag deadline.
Rapoport indicated one thing that was important to Pierce was the quarterback situation in Indy.
Pierce seemed to confirm that during the appearance on “Up & Adams.”
“Quarterback Play and stability,” Pierce said when asked what was important to him. “Stability in a franchise, winning culture. Things like that I’d say are probably the most important. … I think [the Colts are] on the way to figuring that out with Daniel [Jones] if they can get a long-term deal done.”
He added: “I’ve understood the battles that come with not having that stability.”