Remember Chris Hogan? The professional lacrosse player-turned-two-time Super Bowl Champion wide receiver for the [New England Patriots](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots) has been relatively quiet since leaving New England in 2018. Or so I thought.
Turns out Hogan has been making his voice heard on Patriots-related topics since 2021 on “The Patriots Report with Price and Hogan.” In the latest episode of the podcast, Hogan [spoke on the Patritos’ rumored interest](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-guys-discuss-what-the-patriots-will-look-like/id1586360862?i=1000753413698) in Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce. Patriots fans probably weren’t expecting to hear what he had to say.
“I’m looking at stuff where Alec Pierce is going to be trying to go after $30 million a year. Like… no,” Hogan said. “I’m not paying 30 million dollars for someone to run go routes.”
I have a real issue with the media's notion that Pierce’s route tree is limited to downfield routes only. I believe his usage was a product of the Colts’ offense, which featured one of, if not the league's top running back, Jonathan Taylor. With a weapon like him, Indianapolis was constantly in two tight end sets using motion to open up running lanes. This led to the third-highest play-action rate in the league.
When running play action, you are often running concepts that stretch the field and take advantage of defenders down in the run game. Pierce excelled in the system, and I have no reason to believe he won’t do that for his next team, too.
However, I would be a fool to argue with the NFL vet. So here’s what else he had to say about Pierce.
“If you’re going to come in, you’re going to be able to be multiple in this offense – and be able to run multiple routes and get open versus press and get open versus man and run slants and curls and make aggressive catches over the middle of the field – not just over routes and gos and posts,” Hogan said. “Kid’s a very talented receiver. I could be totally wrong in saying this, maybe he can do those things, and he just wasn’t featured in Indianapolis’ offense.
“Is Alec Pierce that guy? I don’t know."