Great Northern War

INDIANAPOLIS -- Time after time last season, Indianapolis Colts receiver Alec Pierce could be found in a predictable place: Streaking down the field and not getting the football.

It's not an ideal situation for a wide receiver, but it happened way too often to the Colts' 2022 second-round pick.

The numbers tell an unmistakable story.

Pierce was seventh in the NFL in the number of routes run last season (575). And, yet, he ranked 93rd in targets (67) and 135th in receptions (32). The statistics offer proof of what game film so vividly displayed: Pierce downfield, often looking for a football that never came.

More data: Pierce's air yards per target were a robust 15.3, nearly double the league average of 7.8. He also finished with a healthy 16.1 yards per reception, by far the most of any Colts player consistently in the offensive rotation. All of which makes it more confounding that Pierce had just 514 receiving yards -- a number that proves he has utility for the Colts but is hardly what his averages might suggest.

So, what gives? Why has Pierce been such a one-dimensional player -- a sporadic deep threat who has yet to consistently contribute in other ways in the offense?

Is this on the player or the team?

"It goes both ways for sure," Pierce said. "I've got to show it in practice and then [coaches] have got to trust me and allow me to get those reps, too."

The Colts have typically relegated Pierce to the role of an outside receiver running deeper routes that often serve to clear defenders from the middle of the field, allowing the likes of Michael Pittman Jr. to have success there. Why Pierce hasn't been asked to run a more diverse set of routes is not entirely clear, but it's true the opportunities have been scarce.

There's one more component Pierce didn't mention: Quarterback play. His skill set was a poor fit for Gardner Minshew, who had the lowest yards per pass attempt of his career while starting 13 games for the Colts in 2023. Minshew was efficient but was reluctant to lob aggressive throws last season, averaging 6.7 yards per pass -- below the league average of 7.0.

"I think there's a lot more to my game," Pierce said. "I just want to have the chance to be able to showcase that."

He's also hoping for a more normal situation. Pierce endured a tumultuous rookie season in 2022 that saw the Colts start three different quarterbacks and fire coach Frank Reich. Last season, Pierce was learning his second offensive system in as many years.

Now, on top of all the existing realities, there's a new reality for Pierce: He will be under more scrutiny than ever before in 2024.

After the Colts selected receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round, then watched him have an immediate impact in spring practices, Pierce is likely to be directly impacted by the addition. Pierce has operated as the No. 3 wide receiver in his first two seasons, but that is expected to be the role up for grabs between Pierce and Mitchell come training camp.

"Those guys are going to get their chance to go run a bunch of routes, compete and try and win against our [defensive backs]," offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. "... We'll see how things go and see what we can do to make our 2024 Colts offense the best we can make it."

Pierce isn't shying away from the competition. He's even added a few pounds of muscle at the suggestion of wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne and the team's front office, the goal being to allow him to play with a bit more power.

"High tides raise all ships," Pierce said. "You're going to get better from your competition. So, the competitive spirit, that's what you've got to work on."

Moving forward, Pierce thinks he'll emerge as the Colts' third wideout. But he has no expectations and understands it won't be handed to him, especially with a hungry rookie fighting for reps.

"I think it's my job to go into camp and prove that," Pierce said. "Just gotta let my work on the field speak for itself."