Sauce Gardner Reacts to Alec Pierce's Contract After Joking About Locking Colts WR In Basement

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner had an innovative idea to keep wide receiver Alec Pierce from hitting free agency on March 11.

Gardner joked about forcing Pierce to re-sign with the Colts in a Wednesday post on social media:

Gardner followed up the post five days later after Pierce reportedly agreed to return to the Colts on a four-year, $116 million contract.

Gardner's post was shared shortly after Pierce said on the Up & Adams show he felt he had "earned the right to explore free agency" after the expiration of his current contract.

The Colts were unable to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pierce after using the designation on quarterback Daniel Jones.

The franchise had "discussed" using the tag on Pierce instead of Jones earlier this offseason, per The Athletic's James Boyd.

The non-exclusive franchise tag for wide receivers would have been worth $27.3 million. Boyd wrote that multiple sources felt Pierce could earn more than that salary on the open market.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently reported that the Colts had "made it clear to Pierce that he will be a Colt, either through a tag or a long-term deal, before the new league year."

Pierce expressed more uncertainty about his return when speaking to Adams on Wednesday.

"I love Indy, I love playing there... but at this point, I've kind of earned the right to explore free agency, see what's out there. Just make the decision that's best for my career, and for my family," Pierce said.

The New England Patriots had been connected to Pierce amid their reported decision to release Stefon Diggs ahead of the 2026 season.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote Wednesday that the Patriots "are believed to be prepared to spend big" on a wide receiver, and that Pierce is one of the targets they've been considering.

Pierce, a 2022 second-rounder who will turn 26 in May, recorded a career-high 47 catches and 1,003 receiving yards last season.

The Colts dealt two first-round picks to the New York Jets last November in order to acquire Gardner in what the franchise hoped was a move to load up for the playoffs.

Indianapolis has now gone even more all-in on Jones by applying the franchise tag to keep him with the team. The team will now hope making Pierce the highest-paid free agent wideout in NFL history will give Jones his best chance of success this fall.