Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver Alec Pierce will enter the 2026 campaign as the team’s number one receiving option for the first time in his four-year career.
Pierce should see an increased workload in 2026 following the departure of star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., not only in targets but in how he’s utilized within the offense. The talented playmaker had a career year in 2025, as Pierce recorded 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on just 47 total receptions.
Along with Pierce, Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren will help absorb Pittman’s absence.
Then competing for the third wide receiver role will be Nick Westbrook-Ikine, who signed a free agent deal with the Colts this offseason, veteran Ashton Dulin, and rookie Deion Burks.
Colts’ offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter recently took a moment to comment on the current state of the Colts’ wide receiver room, and believes the group will take full advantage of the opportunity in front of them.
“We’re going to try to use guys to the best of their ability to help our offense and really to the best of their ability to showcase what they can do because we do have some guys in that room who have played good NFL football before,” Cooter said of the receiver room. “We like the room. It’ll be sort of fun to watch how it goes in the offseason, in training camp. We’ll do everything we can to put them in the best position to have success.”
There may not be any one player who steps in and exactly replicates Pittman’s production, but rather, it may end up being a group effort to do so.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts’ coach evaluates current state of WR position during offseason
Reporting by Jake Boico, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
