Alec Pierce Indianapolis Colts Buffalo Bills
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Alec Pierce #14 of the Indianapolis Colts
The New England Patriots had a spectacular 2025 season, shattering expectations to reach the Super Bowl in year one of the Mike Vrabel era and year two with quarterback Drake Maye.
Now, as New England looks to keep building towards the future, they’ll be looking to add more weapons around Maye as he grows. NFL insider Mina Kimes dropped an under the radar name that the Pats may be after this offseason in free agency: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce.
“I’m looking at teams like New England, Tennessee,” Kimes said. “There’s so many teams where, if you got a big-armed quarterback, I feel like he’s so appealing as a free agent.
Mina Kimes
Alec Pierce is one of the most intriguing names in free agency.
Quite a few teams could use him…like New England 👀
Pierce led the NFL in yards per catch in 2025, at an astounding 21.3. Though he only caught 47 passes, he eclipsed 1,000 yards and scored six touchdowns. For comparison, Mack Hollins caught 46 passes for the Patriots this season for 550 yards. With just one more catch, Pierce nearly doubled his yard total.
Pierce Tabbed as Candidate to Join Patriots
Pierce is the best scheme fit for the Patriots as far as this year’s wide receiver class goes. New England certainly has receivers capable of catching deep balls and making explosive plays, but Pierce would be an upgrade in that role ahead of anyone on the Pats depth chart.
Maye has already established himself as one of the best deep ball throwers in the league, and Pierce is the best deep ball receiver; it’s a match made in heaven. Getting Pierce not only gives Maye a deep option on every play, but it also allows guys like Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, and Stefon Diggs to focus more on short and intermediate routes.
“He’s not just a speed burner, separator. He wins with size, too,” Kimes said. “Some of these catches are contested catches. He’s got good concentration downfield. He is a much more complete player than people give him credit for.”
Pierce has been underrated in his four seasons in the NFL. No, he’s never been the No. 1 guy with incredible consistency, but his explosiveness shines in nearly every game. He is a better fit in New England than guys like A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, or Jauan Jennings.
Making the Money Work; What Pierce Would Cost the Patriots
According to Spotrac, Pierce is set to earn a four-year, $81 million contract, at about $20 million in AAV.
New England has nearly $35 million in cap space as of Feb. 21, and that number is sure to rise as contracts will be re-worked or dumped this offseason. Guys like Diggs, Mike Onwenu, and Carlton Davis are candidates to have their contracts restructured as they’re set to earn high price tags this coming season.
Signing Pierce to a deal where he’s making $20 million a year is plenty affordable for New England, and it’s a deal that immediately improves their offense. It also leaves plenty of space to fill in other holes, like the offensive and defensive line.