The Tennessee Titans entered Monday's legal tampering period searching for wide receiver help. The prize possession available was supposed to be Indianapolis Colts wideout Alec Pierce. The Titans had been linked to Pierce in recent weeks.
Pierce technically never hit the market. According to multiple national reports, the Colts completed a contract extension with him overnight before he could test the market. The Colts signed Pierce to a four-year contract worth $116 million.
Pierce is receiving a sizable $29 million per season to remain in the AFC South. The Titans must pivot to alternative targets if they possessed interest in signing him. Pierce would have been an excellent deep threat for franchise quarterback Cam Ward, but the Titans never even received an opportunity to discuss the possibility, with the Colts closing the deal right at the buzzer.
Colts re-sign WR Alec Pierce, Titans must pivot to alternative targets
Free agent WR Alec Pierce has agreed to terms to remain in Indianapolis on a historic 4 year $114M deal that will make him the highest paid free agent receiver in NFL History.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026
The deal negotiated by agents Mike Swenson and CJ LaBoy, came together overnight and contains $84m in… pic.twitter.com/Op9qCpsNYq
The Titans must improve the receiver room this offseason. Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor are promising talents after experiencing quality rookie seasons. General manager Mike Borgonzi is still deciding what to do with Calvin Ridley. Ridley is largely considered a salary cap casualty, but the Titans haven't made any announcements regarding his future.
Pierce would have been a take-the-top-off vertical threat in Tennessee. His presence would have also assured that Ridley is expendable this offseason. The Titans have lacked a dynamic playmaking threat like Pierce in recent years. Instead of having him catch deep balls from Ward, they'll have to continue playing against him twice a year.
Some of the best remaining receivers in free agency include Wan'Dale Robinson and Romeo Doubs. The Titans have been strongly linked to Robinson through the Brian Daboll connection, the Titans' new offensive coordinator who coached him with the New York Giants. The Titans possess a ton of cap space. They should be active during Monday's legal tampering window.