New Colts Rumors Reveal Plans for Daniel Jones, Alec Pierce Contracts Ahead of NFL Free Agency 2026

It sounds as though Daniel Jones is going to be remaining with the Indianapolis Colts for the long term.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the two sides "have been in negotiations on a multi-year contract extension to keep him in Indianapolis. The sides, I would anticipate, will meet face-to-face this week. Jones wants to stay here in Indianapolis and the Colts want to keep Jones, who was playing his best football prior to injuries last year, including the Achilles tear that he's rehabbing from. The question is, what exactly is that number to make sense on a multi-year deal? If the sides cannot come to an agreement on that, a tag is an option, whether that's the franchise tag or transition tag. The deadline for applying that is March 3."

Pelissero added that a tag would be an option for wideout Alec Pierce if Jones signs an extension, though the Colts would like to find a long-term agreement with him as well.

Jones, 28, threw for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions across 13 games, completing 68 percent of his passes while taking 22 sacks and rushing for five touchdowns.

The Colts were 8-5 in his starts and looked like one of the best teams in football after opening the season with an 8-2 record. They promptly lost seven straight games, however, including all four games Jones didn't start.

Granted, Indy's 8-2 start was probably fool's gold, as the team went 6-0 against the teams it faced that didn't make the playoffs. Six of its losses in the seven-game losing streak to end the season, meanwhile, were against playoff teams. In total, the Colts were 2-8 against teams that ultimately reached the postseason and 0-4 against the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Still, the Colts may only be a few pieces away from returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Retaining Pierce would help. The 25-year-old led the team with 1,003 receiving yards, was second in receiving touchdowns (six) and fourth in receptions (47). His ability to stretch the field—he averaged 21.3 yards per reception in 2025—was an important facet of the offense.

If the Colts are able to extend Jones, it won't be a surprise if they utilize a tag to ensure at least one more year with Pierce in the fold.