INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 22: Alec Pierce #14 of the Indianapolis Colts lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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James Brizuela

By James Brizuela

Contributing Writer

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The Indianapolis Colts did not waste any time with the start of free agency. Just moments into the start of the legal tampering period, it was announced that the team has made Alec Pierce a rich man.

Pierce returns to the Colts on a massive four-year, $116 million deal. This places Pierce at $29 million per season and places him in the top 10 of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.

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Pierce is now locked up through the 2029 season, and will remain an intergral part of the Colts offensive attack.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 22: Alec Pierce #14 of the Indianapolis Colts lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Pierce has emerged as a massive weapon for Daniel Jones and the Colts offense, pulling in 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. He also led the league in 21.3 yards per reception. He is coming off a 2024 season, where he also led the league in yards per reception with 22.3.

Pierce has only gotten better each year, and the upcoming fifth-year receiver has been awarded a massive extension for his production thus far. At $29 million per season, the Colts' pass catcher is now tied for the ninth-highest-paid receiver, alongside the Washington Commanders' Terry McLaurin.

What will be interesting is how the Colts manage to give quarterback Daniel Jones a new multi-year deal, considering the number that Pierce just received.

Jones had a resurgence in 2025 with the Colts and is a major reason for the success of Pierce. The star quarterback was hit with the transition tag, which will pay him $37.8 million in 2026, and the hope is that the organization can work out a long-term deal.

The problem with the transition tag is that a team can choose to overpay, and the Colts will be able to match that deal. This could lead to an even bigger contract for the resurgence of Jones.

Either way, the Colts will need to make good on Jones by offering a sizeable deal, which will pair well with Pierce. Both players are focal points of the offense, and the front office has already locked Pierce up for multiple seasons.

There was plenty of concern that the Colts were not going to be able to bring Pierce back, but they wasted no time with the legal tampering window open to bring back their best wide receiver.

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