Alec Pierce rumors good for Colts, bad for Giants, Steelers, Raiders and Broncos originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Wide receiver and Indianapolis Colts pending free agent Alec Pierce is expected to draw significant interest on the open market this offseason.
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Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports essentially confirmed this, reporting that Pierce is one of the hottest names discussed at the NFL combine.
However, Pierce may not end up hitting free agency, Pauline added, with the Colts hoping to retain him and could use the franchise tag on the 25-year-old receiver
“I heard the Colts want to keep both Pierce and quarterback Daniel Jones on the roster moving forward,” Pauline said. “The idea is that the team will try to finish Jones before free agency starts and then tag Pierce and try to re-sign him.”
Pierce is coming off his best year, topping 1,000 yards for the first time in his career and solidifying himself as one of the NFL’s most explosive receivers.
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The Colts and Pierce have expressed mutual interest in staying together, but if Pierce hits free agency and attracts the kind of attention we’ve come to expect, all bets are off.
The New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos are four of the many teams that could be eyeing Pierce in free agency.
The Giants, Steelers and Broncos all have veteran No. 2s behind their No. 1 wide receivers, while the Raiders are without their No. 1 and desperately need depth at the position.
But if the Colts franchise tag Pierce (which would cost nearly $29 million), that would prevent the explosive receiver from hitting the open market and potentially leaving Indy.
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Ultimately, we believe the Colts will cut Michael Pittman Jr. and keep Pierce, either on a long-term extension or with the franchise.
