Jets receive $20 million price tag on wide receiver with Frank Reich ties

Darren Mougey did a pretty good job overhauling the New York Jets wide receiver room at the trade deadline last year, acquiring Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie in two separate trades.

But he was also the one who decided that it was okay to enter the season with Allen Lazard, Josh Reynolds, and Tyler Johnon as the team's only options outside star Garrett Wilson. He can't make the same mistake in 2026.

Mougey has to make sure the Jets' wide receivers are competent enough to survive without Wilson in the lineup, and while Mitchell and Metchie are nice pieces, they could use another legitimate threat on the perimeter.

Enter Indianapolis Colts impending free agent Alec Pierce, a player new offensive coordinator Frank Reich knows very well from his final two seasons coaching in Indy. The problem is his price tag may be too rich for the Jets' blood.

Potential Jets free agent target Alec Pierce expected to get $20 million per year on next contract

SNY's Connor Hughes named Pierce as a potential Jets target in free agency, noting that "it was Reich who selected Pierce" 53rd overall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Reich spent almost a year and a half coaching Pierce before being fired midseason in 2023.

Since then, Pierce has developed into one of the NFL's premier deep threats. He recorded career highs this past season, hauling in 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. Pierce's whopping 21.3 yards per catch led the league among qualified receivers.

The only snag with Pierce is how thin the wide receiver market is this year. Outside of George Pickens, who's expected to get the franchise tag from the Dallas Cowboys, he and New York Giants slot wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson top the market.

Hughes noted that Pierce could command a contract that pays him almost $20 million per year, and Spotrac agrees, projecting a four-year, $80.9 milion deal in free agency. Would the Jets be willing to pay two wide receivers more than $20 million per year at the same time?

If they're trying to create the most quarterback-friendly situation possible, the answer is likely yes. Having a receiving trio of Wilson, Pierce, and Mitchell would be the deepest they've had in a long time.

It also depends on how the Colts are willing to play free agency. Their two biggest free agents, Pierce and quarterback Daniel Jones, are projected to hit the open market, and it's entirely possible Indianapolis could franchise tag either player.

If the Colts can't come to terms with Jones on a deal, they may be forced to tag him thanks to the lack of quarterback options around the league. If a deal does get done, they could utilize the franchise tag on Pierce, locking him in on a $28.8 million salary for one more season.

The Jets will have to play the waiting game before they can make any decision on Pierce.