The Colts finally have made a decision at quarterback, naming Daniel Jones their starter over Anthony Richardson Sr.
It’s a decision which weighs heavily on many within the Colts organization, including wide receiver Alec Pierce.
Pierce is coming off the best season of his career in 2024, one he played with Richardson at quarterback for the majority of the time. The former Cincinnati Bearcat recorded 37 receptions for a career-high 824 yards and seven touchdowns. His 22.3 yards per reception led the NFL.
Pierce had to wait for his big breakout season, as it came in his third season of NFL football. The change at quarterback for 2025 is likely to halt some of that progress, and it comes at the worst possible time.
The 25-year-old is entering the final year of the four-year, $6.6 million rookie deal he signed after being drafted in 2022. As a second-round pick, Pierce’s contract does not include a fifth-year option, meaning he’ll be a free agent in 2026.
Off the back of his best year at the professional level, Pierce likely would’ve liked some quarterback continuity to allow him to build on and raise his market price as high as possible. Now, with Jones now at the helm, Pierce’s deep ball threat isn’t as dangerous as it would be with Richardson under center.
As a result, Pierce may not get the interest in next year’s free agency that he probably deserves.