Patriots Predicted To Sign Impact Receiver To $104M Deal In Bold Move

New England expected to make a big splash in free agency at wide receiver.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The New England Patriots are reportedly set to sign Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce to a four-year, $104 million contract in free agency. Pierce, a 25-year-old deep threat, would immediately become the Patriots' top receiving option and add a downfield element to their offense.

Why it matters

The Patriots have a major need at wide receiver after reportedly planning to release Stefon Diggs. Signing Pierce, one of the top free agent receivers, would be a bold and expensive move to upgrade their passing attack and provide a reliable target for quarterback Drake Maye.

The details

According to Patriots insider Chad Graff of The Athletic, Pierce is a "perfect fit" for the Patriots due to his size, deep threat ability, and potential to maximize Maye's strengths in the downfield passing game. While Pierce has only one 1,000-yard season and has never been targeted more than 85 times in a year, his high price tag reflects his upside as a young, talented receiver.

  • The Patriots are reportedly set to release Stefon Diggs, creating a need at wide receiver.
  • Alec Pierce is set to become a free agent in the 2023 offseason.

The players

Alec Pierce

A 25-year-old wide receiver who played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, recording 47 receptions for 1,007 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Drake Maye

The Patriots' starting quarterback, whose strengths in the downfield passing game could be maximized by adding a deep threat like Pierce.

Chad Graff

A Patriots insider who writes for The Athletic and predicted the team will sign Pierce to a four-year, $104 million contract.

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What they’re saying

“This is perhaps the most intriguing player for the Patriots in free agency. Pierce's price tag is going to be high, but he fits a lot of what New England is likely to be looking for in a receiver.”

— Chad Graff, Patriots Insider (The Athletic)

“Pierce is a big-bodied deep threat who could help maximize Drake Maye's strength in the longer passing game, and he's only 25. The downside is that while the potential is great, you're going to have to pay a lot of money for someone with one career 1,000-yard season who has never been targeted more than 85 times in a season.”

— Chad Graff, Patriots Insider (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Patriots will need to finalize contract negotiations with Alec Pierce and officially release Stefon Diggs in order to complete this reported free agent signing.

The takeaway

The Patriots are making a bold and expensive move to upgrade their receiving corps by targeting one of the top free agent wide receivers in Alec Pierce. While Pierce has shown promise, the high price tag reflects the team's desperation to provide a reliable deep threat for their young quarterback Drake Maye and rebuild their passing attack.