Colts' Big Bets on Jones, Pierce: Worth the Risk?

0:00On April 15th, the Indianapolis Colts went all in this offseason, resigning quarterback Daniel Jones to a 2-year 88-million-dollar deal. With $60 million guaranteed, and wide receiver Alec Pierce to a 4-year, $114 million extension, these moves aimed to lock in the duo behind their 8-2 start last season, but Bleacher reports Gary Davenport slapped both as among the 10, worst free agent signings of the 2026 NFL offseason. Jones lit it up over 13 starts in 2025, hitting career highs with a 68% completion rate top passing yards per. Game, and a passer rating over 100 until in Achilles Tire, derailed everything. The Colts used the transition tag first, then committed big dropping his 2026 cap hit to $19.1 million from $37.8 million. Davenport questions if Jones can bounce back like Sam Donald, or repeat that magic post-injury, arguing they should have let him play out the tag year to test the waters.

1:02Fans and analysts see the risk, especially with zero guarantees in 2027, giving Indian easy out if it flops. Meanwhile, Pierce broke 1,000 receiving yards last year for the first time, and led the league in yards per catch for the second straight. Season, but he ranked just 20th in total yards and never cracked the top three in targets for the Colts. Following Michael Pittman Jr., cleared the deck financially and made Pierce the main guy, though critics say he's overpaid like a top 10 receiver. Despite lower volume stats, Colts GM Chris Ballard bets on future production overpass numbers, and the team sees Jones and Pierce carrying them deep into 2026, playoffs and beyond.