WESTFIELD, Ind. – The time has come for Alec Pierce to prove himself.
In his first two years with the Colts, the wide receiver always had a set role in the offense as the second outside receiver opposite Michael Pittman Jr., with no real competition for the position. But with the addition of rookie Adonai Mitchell, the Colts' second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Pierce is face-to-face with direct competition.
He's ready for it. In fact, he welcomes it.
"High tides raise all ships," Pierce said after training camp practice Sunday. "It's all about the competitive spirit. So if you're pushing each other, the better everyone is around you, it's basically going to bring everyone's play up and it's going to elevate the room as a whole. It's just a phenomenal thing for the room as a whole."
Pierce, drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft, averaged 15.2 yards per reception across his first two seasons with the Colts. Primarily a deep threat in the downfield, he totaled 1,107 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 33 games played. Pierce wasn't producing at his highest level, with his stats sometimes limited by the Colts' quarterback inconsistencies, but he was a constant presence on the field nonetheless.
Now, that consistent playing time isn't necessarily a guarantee, and with a healthy Anthony Richardson – someone who has the ability and willingness to throw those deep passes – Pierce has a prime opportunity to prove his effectiveness. Expectations for all the Colts wide receivers are high for 2024 because of the versatility their QB1 allows for; he can run, he can lob short passes and he can sling darts downfield. There's no questioning Richardson's ability to elevate an offense, and Pierce, entering his third year with the Colts, has the veteran experience to be a reliable target for the quarterback.
Combine that with Pierce's desire to become more versatile, and there's an opportunity for the two to combine for explosive plays throughout the season.
Pierce's veteran status on the team also means he is more familiar with the playbook, he understands Shane Steichen's coaching tactics and he knows the coaches on a more personal level. He's already familiar with Richardson's game – even if the two were barely able to play together in the 2023 season due to Richardson's injury – and there's a level of comfort for Pierce on and off the field that wasn't present in past years. He doesn't even have to plug Grand Park into his phone for directions when he drives to training camp anymore.
Now, Pierce can focus solely on competing and getting better every day.
"The excitement I'm feeling for Alec in this camp is like no other," wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne said. "Now, you've got somebody that's pushing him. So, we've got to see the Alec that we expect to see, the guy that comes in and continues to be a professional, come in and make plays."
Wayne, like everyone else, is curious and excited to see the competition between Pierce and Mitchell. Both are explosive players who can stress a defense down the field, providing a crucial part of the Colts' offense. For Wayne, there's no question they both will get playing time.
"I just want to see them boys compete and come in ready to play," he said. "We'll see where the chips fall."
Despite the pressure on Pierce to hold on to his role and continue to work on his game, he wants Mitchell to be the best he can be as well. He and Mitchell are already working on drills together, picking each other's brains about their approaches to certain plays and working hard to improve individually and as a unit. Pierce operates with the confidence of a player who has been in the league for a few seasons and knows what he needs to do to get better.
Now, he just needs to produce on the field. Neither Pierce nor his coaches think that will be an issue.
"The guy's really never really hit his stride," Wayne said. "I think this is his time."
