To start this season, we talked about the impact of the strong training camp of Adonai Mitchell and where that would align with a potential Alec Pierce extension. After a slow start in Week One for Pierce, he had a strong performance in Week Two. Pierce finished with 4 receptions on 5 targets for 68 yards. Including one 44-yard catch that reinvigorated the home crowd.
Pierce is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the franchise has yet to extend him. The preseason talk about Pierce was that him being the odd man out in the crowded wide receiver room. A room that boasts a wide variety of skill sets.
Pittman is a possession receiver, and Downs is the quintessential slot receiver. AD Mitchell can play both inside and outside. The room rounds out with Ashton Dulin and Anthony Gould as gadget guys and special teams aces.
Indianapolis Colts need to spend the money to keep Alec Pierce around
The moniker on Pierce, as he was only a deep ball receiver, and his needs would dissipate if Daniel Jones won the quarterback competition. This week proved we might all be wrong on this point. I know the stats are not popping out just yet.
However, we have seen that the addition of Tyler Warren has completely opened the playbook for everyone. We have seen both Warren and Pierce become the deep threat on this football team.
Jones has proved us wrong so far on his ability to throw the deep ball. Jones has also shown his versatility under center. That ability is turning Alec Pierce into a complete NFL wide receiver. It’s an important season for Pierce as he is in the final year of his contract.
One would assume that both the team and his representation have had some productive contract discussions. We thought it would be dependent on whether Jones or Richardson won the competition.
Now, instead of locking him up earlier, this franchise is in jeopardy of losing him this offseason. We have seen plenty of franchises do the same thing with mixed results for each player. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.
With two weeks of tape now of Steichen's RPO-heavy offense, they are still willing to throw the deep ball. The value of Pierce will grow as this offensive resurrection continues this season. It’s apparent that both Warren and Pierce will be the focal point of the passing offense this season.
If the Colts want to keep Pierce in the future, they need to lock him in now before another team overpays him and the Colts miss out.
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