Mike Vrabel
Getty
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots looks on prior to the start of Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots are looking to improve their wide receiver corps in free agency. Despite second-year QB Drake Maye finishing second in MVP voting and the Patriots making it all the way to Super Bowl LX, they lacked significant playmakers on the outside. Now, in HC Mike Vrabel’s second season at the helm, New England is looking to correct that.
Stefon Diggs was a fantastic signing last year, going for 1,013 yards on 85 receptions with four touchdowns. But he’ll turn 33 next season and was just informed that he’ll be released. No other wide receiver on the team eclipsed more than 50 receptions or 600 yards in 2025. Especially without Diggs, the Patriots clearly need more production from their receivers.
Thankfully, New England just got a great update from their top free agent wide receiver target.
The New England Patriots Get Good News on WR Alec Pierce in Free Agency
Alec Pierce
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 04: Alec Pierce #14 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a touchdown pass against Derek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans during the second quarter of the game at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Colts WR Alec Pierce is the top free agent wide receiver on the market after the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on George Pickens. The former second-round pick out of Cincinnati just finished out his rookie contract and while Indianapolis would love to keep him (and are working hard to sign him to an extension), it sounds like Pierce will test the open market when free agency opens next week.
On Wednesday, NFL reporter Kay Adams had Pierce on her Up & Adams Show to discuss what his mindset is ahead of free agency, something the Patriots are closely monitoring.
“You know at this point now, it’s like, I love Indy,” Pierce told Adams. “I’ve loved playing there. Great organization, great people in the city. You know, 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.”
In 2025, Pierce had 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. He led the NFL in yards per receptions in back-to-back seasons and is considered the NFL’s most prolific and physical deep threat.
The New England Patriots Have Exactly What Free Agent WR Alec Pierce Wants
“I mean, definitely quarterback play,” Pierce said on what it is important to him in this free agency period. “And stability. Stability in a franchise, you know like a winning culture. Things like that I’d say are probably the most important.”
“Yeah playing in Indy, I’ve played with a ton of different quarterbacks, and I think they’re on their way to figuring that out with Daniel [Jones],” he continued. “If they can get a long-term deal done with him, because I believe in him a ton as a quarterback. But I think I’ve understood the battles that comes with not having that stability. So I think as a free agent that would be something I would look into a lot.”
Good quarterback play? Check. Stability as an organization? Double check. The New England Patriots might have everything Pierce is looking for after all.