JUST IN: Colts Confirm the Departure of Wide Receiver After Reliable Deep Threat
The Indianapolis Colts have a deep wide receiver group, and according to Pro Football Focus, wideout might be on the trade block in the near future. A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati, He has developed into a dependable deep threat and is coming off his best NFL season.
In 2024, he played in 16 games with 13 starts, recording 37 catches for 824 yards and seven touchdowns, while leading the league with an impressive 22.3 yards per reception.
Although he isn’t the most complete receiver, His big-play ability could make him a valuable trade asset. PFF’s Mason Cameron recently floated the idea of Pierce reuniting with quarterback Joe Flacco in Cleveland, noting the Browns’ need for a reliable target alongside Pro Bowler Jerry Jeudy.
“One possible trade candidate is Alec Pierce, who played with Joe Flacco in Indianapolis last season and earned a 73.3 PFF receiving grade catching passes from the veteran,” Cameron wrote.
Browns, Colts Connected In Alec Pierce Trade Rumors
The Cleveland Browns’ offense might be tough to watch in 2025. With Deshaun Watson out for the year, the team is relying on a less-than-inspiring group of quarterbacks: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Shedeur Sanders, a fifth-round pick.
It’s unclear who will earn the starting job, but none of the options seem especially promising. If Cleveland hopes to improve its passing game, pursuing a trade for Alec Pierce could be one of the few viable moves left this offseason.
Jerry Jeudy had a strong debut season in Cleveland, but much of his production came from Jameis Winston’s aggressive downfield approach. Given Winston’s history of boosting receiver stats, it’s unlikely Jeudy will repeat his 1,100-yard performance.
Beyond him, the Browns’ top option is Diontae Johnson, a skilled receiver who’s trying to rebound from a rough season. Adding Alec Pierce could help stabilize the receiving corps—but the question remains: would the Colts be willing to deal him?
Could A Deal Get Done?
The Colts likely aren’t actively shopping Alec Pierce, but they should be open to hearing trade offers. With a strong wide receiver group that includes established players like Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, plus the upside of 2024 second-rounder Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis has the depth to consider moving Pierce. While he’s a capable starting receiver, trading him could create more opportunities for Mitchell to grow in a larger role.
Pierce is also set to hit free agency after the 2025 season, and the Colts might prefer gaining a draft pick now rather than keeping him for just one more year.
With Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones expected to compete for the starting quarterback job, the team isn’t likely to contend this season. In that context, holding on to Pierce for a year holds less value than potentially using a draft pick to help land a future franchise quarterback
