The Buffalo Bills enter the 2026 offseason facing renewed urgency after another Super Bowl miss in the Josh Allen era. As pressure builds to maximize Allen’s prime years, league chatter has increasingly centered on whether adding a true deep-threat receiver could finally unlock the vertical element of Buffalo’s offense.
In recent weeks, speculation has included potential moves for high-profile receivers such as George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys and A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles. However, a new projection has linked Buffalo to what may be the most dangerous vertical threat expected to reach free agency: Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts.
Pierce was selected by Indianapolis in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Cincinnati and played out his four-year rookie contract valued at $6.6 million. With that deal now expired, Pierce is positioned for a significant payday. Spotrac projects the 25-year-old to command a new four-year contract worth approximately $80.9 million, or just over $20 million per season.
At first glance, that price point appears steep for a Bills team navigating a tight salary-cap situation. Still, Pierce’s production makes a compelling case. He has led the NFL in yards per reception in consecutive seasons, providing the kind of field-stretching presence Buffalo has lacked. Analysts believe his skill set aligns perfectly with Allen’s arm strength and could elevate the Bills’ passing attack to another level while complementing their already strong rushing game.
Buffalo’s need for a vertical receiver has been evident. Until late in the 2025 season, Allen had no consistent deep threat. The Bills added veteran Brandin Cooks off waivers in November, and while Cooks averaged an impressive 22.8 yards per catch in five regular-season games, he is now a free agent.
Outside of that brief stint, Buffalo’s primary wideout was Khalil Shakir, whose game is built more on reliability than vertical explosiveness, as reflected by his modest yards-per-catch average.
Pierce, by contrast, has consistently produced big plays regardless of quarterback circumstances. Catching passes from multiple starters, including a rookie and a veteran who returned from retirement, he still averaged more than 21 yards per reception this past season, again leading the league. That ability to stretch defenses could not only open throwing lanes for Allen but also ease coverage pressure on Shakir and the rest of Buffalo’s receiving corps.
The primary obstacle remains the salary cap. Even with an expected increase, projections from OverTheCap.com indicate the Bills could enter the offseason nearly $6 million over the limit.
To pursue Pierce or any premium free agent, Buffalo would need to create flexibility by restructuring contracts or moving on from current contributors.
Even so, the connection between the Bills and Pierce reflects a broader acknowledgment around the league: if Buffalo is serious about fully unlocking Allen’s ceiling, adding a proven deep threat may no longer be a luxury, but a necessity.
