Alec Pierce
Getty
CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 20: Alec Pierce #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats makes a catch for a touchdown while being guarded by Bryce McMorris #7 of the SMU Mustangs in the third quarter at Nippert Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
After releasing Stefon Diggs, the New England Patriots‘ search for a wide receiver just became even more important.
And there’s one elite target who will be testing free agency.
The Indianapolis Colts ultimately placed the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones despite speculation that they were leaning towards locking up Pierce. But now, he will head into free agency and is expected to be the top wide receiver available.
Pierce is an elite deep threat, and Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has arguably the best deep ball in the NFL. So, it’s a match made in heaven.
But there is one more thing that could put the Patriots ahead of the free agency competition to sign Pierce.
Patriots Like To Sign Players That Have Connections To The Coaching Staff
Getty Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts
When Mike Vrabel was hired, he made a lot of changes to the Patriots roster, but put an emphasis on the players he signed during free agency.
“Last year, like 80 to 90% of the guys they signed had connections to the coaching staff,” NFL Insider Albert Breer said during an appeared on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
And that directly connects to Pierce for a very specific reason.
“Do you know who Alec Pierce’s college coach was?” Breer asked before providing the answer. “Mike Vrabel’s best friend in the world, Luke Fickell.”
“Luke Fickell and Mike Vrabel played together at Ohio State. They are the best of friends,” he added. “If you go back and you look at some of the things that Luke Fickell said about Alec Pierce when he was at the University of Cincinnati, you’ll see what a valuable piece Pierce was there and how Luke Fickell would constantly say, ‘Alec Pierce’s best football is ahead of him.'”