Alec Pierce – Indianapolis Colts 2025 Breakout Candidate

The Indianapolis Colts are entering 2025 with several talented players who are primed for a breakout year, and Alec Pierce is one of them. Pierce is going into his fourth year in the NFL. He will also be in the final year of his rookie contract. In the hopes of getting a contract extension or big payday, having a breakout year will be key. There were talks of Pierce getting traded, but those rumors have since been put to rest. Pierce probably has the biggest upside out of the Colts current wide receivers.

The Colts general manager, Chris Ballard, has a reputation for taking care of the players who produce. Alec Pierce could fall into this boat if he has a breakout 2025 season and helps put the Colts in the playoffs.

Alec Pierce Is Primed For a Breakout 2025 Season

His Career Thus Far

Alec Pierce has had a quietly productive career in just three seasons. Since entering the league in 2022, Pierce has brought explosiveness to the offense. In his rookie season, he averaged 14.5 yards per reception. In year two, he averaged 16.1 yards per reception, and this past year he led the league with 22.3 yards per reception. Pierce also finished with seven touchdowns, which is more than he had in the previous two years combined. He also had 824 total receiving yards, 32 first downs, and averaged 3.2 yards after the catch. All these stats were career bests, and in 2025, he will look to do more.

His Impact on the Offense

Alec Pierce is not considered the Colts number one receiver. However, he is making a case to be their true number two, who will complement Michael Pittman Jr.. With his speed and vertical depth, the Colts will have a field day getting him 50-50 shots. In 2024, this was certainly the case, especially with Anthony Richardson at quarterback. Pierce ran an average of 19.1 yards per catch and traveled 706 total yards before the catch. His quarterback’s passer rating when targeted was 106.2. Lastly, out of his 37 receptions, 33 were deep balls. This level of vertical depth led the league in 2024.

The potential issue for Pierce in 2025 will be if Daniel Jones ends up being his quarterback. In 2023, when Pierce had Gardner Minshew as his quarterback for much of the season, his production took a hit. This was not because Pierce was underperforming, but rather because Minshew’s style does not involve throwing many deep balls. Instead, he opts for the check down or quick shot over the middle. Jones has the same tendencies, and this could impact Pierce’s production. Because Pierce has so much talent, though, it is expected that Shane Steichen will try everything in his power to get him involved in the offense.

His Future As a Potential Top-Tier Receiver

Every top-tier receiver has a complementary quarterback. As mentioned, Pierce’s production in 2025 will be predicated on who is throwing him the ball. Because he is such a vertical threat, he needs a quarterback who is not afraid of the downfield 50-50 ball. If he can get stability at quarterback and have his guy continually feed him the ball down the field, the sky is the limit for Pierce. Pierce would be in contention to be the Colts true number one receiver, ahead of Pittman. If the Colts can just get their quarterback situation solidified long-term and that quarterback feeds Pierce the ball, this young man will have many Pro Bowl recognitions and some.