Indianapolis Colts News

The Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Daniel Jones have made progress on a long-term deal, but nothing has been finalized yet, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Both sides remain in contact. The Colts placed the transition tag on Jones, which will pay him a fully guaranteed $37.83 million for 2026 if he doesn't sign a long-term extension. Jones' representatives reportedly countered a previous long-term offer by Indy and asked for $50 million per season. The two sides were pretty far apart on the numbers, but it sounds like they're getting closer to a middle ground to lock Jones up as their starter under center for the future. The 28-year-old former sixth overall pick by the New York Giants in 2019 out of Duke was having a career year in his first year in Indy in 2025, throwing for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions before tearing his Achilles in the second half of the year. It sounds like something will eventually get done, and he'll return to the Colts. As far as Jones' fantasy value goes, there will be a lot of skepticism with him spending all offseason rehabbing his Achilles tendon tear.

The early projection is "eight to 10" targets a game for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce in 2026, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. The Colts re-signed Pierce on Monday to a four-year, $116 million contract after he led the team with 1,003 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 47 receptions in 2025. Sources say that the 25-year-old turned down offers from other teams that would have surpassed his deal with the Colts by a "substantive amount." Pierce preferred familiarity and to keep his connection going with quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles). The Colts traded away Michael Pittman Jr. on Monday, too, so Pierce will be Indy's unquestioned No. 1 wideout in 2026 after his breakout performance last season. Posting a second straight 1,000-yard season might not be easy, but Pierce has solidified himself as a big-play threat for fantasy managers after leading the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reports that the Indianapolis Colts' initial offer to quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) was in the range of Sam Darnold's three-year, $100.5 million deal he signed with the Seattle Seahawks last offseason. Jones' camp countered and asked for a deal worth $50 million per year. Instead of franchise-tagging Jones, the Colts gave him the transition tag. The 28-year-old was having one of the best years of his career in his first year in Indy before his torn Achilles tendon in Week 14, throwing for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 starts. If Jones were to return to Indy in 2026 and play on the transition tender, he'd make $37.833 million. Breer suggests that Jones will likely have to come down on his demands with the Colts if he wants to return to a familiar place without having to learn a new offense. Jones' rehab is expected to cost him most of the offseason, which will make him a pretty risky QB2 in fantasy football drafts. The Colts bringing back wideout Alec Pierce should help get Jones back in the building.

Free-agent wide receiver Alec Pierce is re-signing with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday on a four-year, $116 million deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. There were rumblings that Pierce would get away from the Colts on the open market, but they have locked down one of the top receiving options this offseason after he led the team in receiving in 2025. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of Cincinnati had a career year last season, catching 47 of his 84 targets for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games played. Pierce has led the NFL the last two years in yards per catch, making him one of the best young deep threats in the game. He has a strong connection with quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles), which is a big reason he ended up returning to Indy. The Colts have plenty of weapons on offense, but Pierce will once again be one of their top playmakers with plenty of fantasy upside as long as Jones has recovered from his Achilles tendon tear in 2025.

Josina Anderson reports that Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent wide receiver Alec Pierce could make around $30 million per year on a long-term deal on the open market, which "may be too much" for the New England Patriots' taste. Meanwhile, a league source said they think the San Francisco 49ers might pay the exorbitant price to land Pierce, who had his first career 1,000-yard season in 2025 as the Colts' leading receiver. In addition to the 25-year-old's breakout season last year, the emerging deep threat has led the league in yards per catch in each of the last two years. The Patriots recently released WR1 Stefon Diggs, and Pierce would fit very nicely with young quarterback Drake Maye, who was a surgeon deep down the field in 2025. The 49ers don't have much outside of an injury-prone Ricky Pearsall at wideout, so their interest isn't a bit surprising. Landing in San Fran could give Pierce more fantasy upside than if he were to re-sign in Indy.

Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent wide receiver Alec Pierce appears set to hit the open market on Monday, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that he's poised to make at least $27 million per year on a new deal. The New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tennessee Titans are "among teams in the mix." The good news for the Colts is that Pierce is close with quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles), so he could be partial to re-signing in Indy. Fowler adds that Pierce's "upside and penchant for chunk yardage are attractive to teams." The San Francisco 49ers are another receiver-needy team that could make a big splash with the addition of the 25-year-old wideout. Pierce led the Colts in 2025 with 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 47 receptions, and he's led the NFL each of the last two years in yards per catch. Regardless of where Pierce lands, his fantasy price will go up coming off his career year.

The Indianapolis Colts acquired defensive tackle Colby Wooden from the Green Bay Packers on Saturday in exchange for linebacker Zaire Franklin, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Wooden was the 116th overall pick in the fourth round by Green Bay in 2023 out of Auburn. The 25-year-old has totaled 87 tackles (45 solo), half a sack, nine tackles for loss, seven QB hits, and three pass breakups in 47 regular-season games (17 starts) in his three NFL seasons. The Colts will be hoping that Wooden continues to improve after posting a career-best 50 tackles (26 solo), six tackles for loss, and a pass breakup in 17 regular-season games in 2025. For now, Wooden can be ignored in IDP fantasy formats as he gets set to enter his first year with the Colts' defensive line.

The Indianapolis Colts re-signed kicker Blake Grupe to a one-year deal worth up to $1.4 million on Sunday, league sources told James Boyd of The Athletic. Grupe was cut by the New Orleans Saints last year after starting the year 18-for-26 on his field-goal tries and making all 15 of his extra-point attempts through 11 games played. The 27-year-old Notre Dame product then latched on with the Colts and kicked for them for five games, going a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals and 10-for-10 on his extra points. The strong finish to the 2025 season led to Grupe getting another shot as Indy's starting placekicker to begin the 2026 campaign this fall. Grupe has made 81.9% of his 105 career field-goal attempts (19-for-27 from 50-plus yards out) over three NFL seasons with the Saints and Colts. Fantasy managers in standard 12-team leagues should have better options at the kicking position this fall.

Barring a last-minute deal with the Indianapolis Colts, wide receiver Alec Pierce is set to reach free agency when the NFL's legal tampering window opens on Monday, and according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, he could fetch at least $27 million on the open market. The top option in an otherwise underwhelming free-agent class, Pierce is likely to draw interest from the Patriots, Commanders, and Titans, driving his price up. One of the premier downfield threats in the league, Pierce made a career-high 47 catches for 1,003 yards in 2025. Turning 26 in early May, he hits free agency at the perfect point in his career and will receive nothing less than a top-of-market deal.

The San Francisco 49ers have an interest in impending free-agent wide receivers Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) will be released soon, and it "sure seems" like Jauan Jennings won't be retained at the wide receiver position in the Bay Area. Former first-rounder and injury-prone wideout Ricky Pearsall would be the team's top wideout if both Aiyuk and Jennings leave, which is why it's not a surprise at all that the 49ers are looking at both Pierce and Doubs. Both wideouts are coming off career years with the Colts and Packers, respectively, and are in line for bigger roles with new teams in 2026 and beyond. Pierce, 25, had 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 47 catches in 15 games as Indy's leading receiver. Doubs, 25, had a 55-724-6 line in 16 regular-season games. Pierce has a higher fantasy ceiling because of his big-play ability; he's led the league the last two years in yards per reception.

The Athletic's Chad Graff thinks Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent wide receiver Alec Pierce "fits a lot of what New England is likely to be looking for in a receiver" in free agency this offseason. Graff took it a step further and predicted that the Patriots would sign Pierce to a four-year, $104 million contract. The 25-year-old will be in high demand on the open market after posting his first 1,000-yard season in 2025 while catching 47 of his 84 targets for six touchdowns in 15 games. Pierce has led the league in yards per catch in each of the last two years in Indy. The second-round speedster and the Colts have mutual interest in a reunion, but Pierce could also bolt to the highest bidder, as long as they have a stable quarterback situation. Pats QB Drake Maye was extremely accurate deep down the field, which would make Pierce an ideal fit after New England just cut their top wideout in Stefon Diggs this week.

The Indianapolis Colts are talking with teams about a trade for former Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin as they look to get under the salary cap before the start of the new league year next week, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Franklin led the NFL with 173 total tackles in 2024 and was a first-time Pro Bowler. The former seventh-round pick in 2018 out of Syracuse took a step back in 2025 in his eighth year in the league, but he still had 125 tackles (62 solo), two sacks, seven tackles for loss, six QB hits, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 17 starts. In fantasy scoring, he finished as the No. 27 linebacker in IDP leagues. Franklin has two years left on the three-year, $31.3 million contract that he signed in March of 2024. If he's not traded, the Colts have an out with Franklin for only $2.5 million in dead-cap money.

Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent wide receiver Alec Pierce said on the Up & Adams Show on Wednesday that he thinks he's "kind of earned the right to explore free agency. See what's out there." Although the Colts still have the opportunity to negotiate a long-term deal with Pierce before the legal tampering window opens on March 9, the expectation is that the 25-year-old wants to test his value on the open market first. Had the Colts already locked up quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) to a long-term extension, they most likely would have placed the franchise tag on Pierce. There should be plenty of interest in the former second-rounder after he led the Colts in receiving for his first 1,000-yard season in 2025. Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two years as well. He has familiarity and chemistry with Jones already, but it's possible his fantasy ceiling will be higher if he departs in free agency.

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren shared an obvious connection with quarterback Daniel Jones that had him squarely in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation prior to Jones' season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14. With the team placing the transition tag on Jones on Tuesday, the first domino has fallen in defining the direction of the Colts' offensive future, and signs are positive for Warren's growth heading into year two. Should Jones sign his nearly $38 million tender, the likelihood of Indianapolis retaining both unrestricted free agent Alec Pierce as well as veteran Michael Pittman Jr. and his $29 million cap hit seems unlikely. With Pierce leading the team in receiving yards and Pittman commanding the most targets, receptions, and touchdowns, Indianapolis could be looking to fill a major offensive vacuum in 2026, and Tyler Warren has the skillset to become the primary option to do so.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was a popular breakout candidate heading into 2025, but it was ultimately his teammate, Alec Pierce, who took the next step and led the team with his first career 1,000-yard season. With Pierce now facing unrestricted free agency, it seems inevitable that a shakeup is coming to the Colts' wide receiver room. Should Pierce end up leaving for a top-of-market deal, a giant hole will be left atop the depth chart. However, for Downs' fantasy future, it might be more beneficial if Pierce stays in Indianapolis. Pierce and Downs play very different games, as evidenced by the 11.6-yard differential in their 2025 ADoT. For the Colts to retain Pierce likely means moving on from Michael Pittman Jr. and his $29 million cap hit, either through trade or release, which would represent a best-case scenario for Downs. Pittman has led the team in targets every season since 2021, with most of his looks coming in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, also patrolled by Downs.

The Cleveland Browns could "seriously consider" a trade for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye), which would pit Richardson and Shedeur Sanders against each other in a QB competition for the starting job this summer, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. The Browns are "open to multiple options at QB," which includes the "open competition" between Sanders and Deshaun Watson (Achilles). Watson hasn't played since October of 2024, though, and the team still thinks Sanders has a lot to learn. Bringing in another signal-caller from outside the organization seems like a foregone conclusion, with Green Bay Packers impending free-agent QB Malik Willis being another option they'll likely explore. Richardson, the former fourth overall pick in 2023, has requested a trade after the Colts have made it clear that Daniel Jones (Achilles) is who they want starting moving forward. Richardson has started just 15 games in his first three years in the NFL and has plenty to prove to another organization to earn a starting role again.

The Indianapolis Colts placed the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) on Tuesday, which means that wide receiver Alec Pierce will become an unrestricted free agent. The Colts' goal has been to keep both Jones and Pierce around, and the Colts continue to negotiate a long-term deal with Pierce, but The Athletic's James Boyd and Dianni Russini wouldn't be surprised if Pierce "waits until all interested suitors can make their pitches." It means that the 25-year-old wideout probably won't re-sign with the Colts until after the league-wide negotiating window opens next Monday. He'll be in high demand on the open market after emerging as Indy's No. 1 receiver in 2025 while posting his first career 1,000-yard season. Pierce also led the NFL in yards per catch (21.3) for the second straight season. The rising wideout would have been much more likely to sign a long-term deal with the Colts had they already locked Jones into a long-term extension.

The Indianapolis Colts are placing the transition tag on impending free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) on Tuesday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The transition tag is $37.833 million, more than $6 million cheaper than the QB franchise tag. It allows Jones to sign an offer sheet with another team, with the Colts having the right to match any offer. The Minnesota Vikings are a team to watch, although they probably aren't in a position to spend big at the position this offseason with limited salary cap space. The 28-year-old and the Colts now have until July 15 to work out a long-term extension, and there is mutual interest on both sides. Jones completed 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions before tearing his Achilles in Week 14. He was given a six- to eight-month timetable after having surgery in December. Jones' 2026 fantasy value will depend on whether he stays with the Colts and whether he'll be ready to go for Week 1.

The Minnesota Vikings could make an offer to Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) in free agency if the Colts use the transition tag on him, according to ESPN's Peter Schrager. If the Vikings pursue Jones in free agency, the Colts would have the right to match any offer. The transition tag would pay Jones $37.8 million in 2026, so the Vikings would have to offer him at least that much to make him consider leaving Indianapolis. The 28-year-old former sixth overall pick by the New York Giants in 2019 out of Duke looked great in 13 starts with the Colts in 2025 before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts have made it clear they view Jones as their starter going forward if they can bring him back, but reuniting with Vikings head coach and QB whisperer Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota could be very attractive to Jones. Stay tuned.

There is no momentum between the Indianapolis Colts and impending free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) on a long-term deal, which means a transition tag is "now the expected outcome" at the deadline on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Jones would make $37.8 million in 2026 on the transition tag, but it would also give him the chance to find a bigger contract in free agency while negotiating with other teams. In the meantime, it looks like Indy could strike a long-term deal with receiver Alec Pierce as they look to keep both Jones and Pierce in the fold in 2026 and beyond. Jones was having one of his best seasons in 2025 before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he finished with 3,101 passing yards, 19 touchdown passes, and eight interceptions in 13 starts. Returning to Indy would be ideal from a familiarity standpoint, but fantasy managers will be hesitant that Jones can replicate his success last year while coming off a serious injury.