The New England Patriots were one game away from rebuilding their long-lost dynasty in Super LX, but their offense was nowhere near ready to climb the mountain that was the Seattle Seahawks’ defense.
While the fans and Patriots brain trust believe that Drake Maye is their franchise quarterback for the next decade-plus, they also know he needs to find wide receivers and tight ends that can help him take his next step forward as a star signal-caller.
Rising star Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts, only 25, feels like he’d be perfect in New England. Although not a certified WR1 just yet, he can grow into that role, and with Maye throwing to him, they might make the perfect pair.
But on the eve of NFL free agency, that dream connection doesn’t seem like it will be happening, as Pierce is looking for a large-scale deal as one of the best wideouts on the market.
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Per NFL insider Josina Anderson, the market for Pierce has grown beyond what the Patriots are realistically interested in for the Colts’ pass-catcher.
“Field-stretcher Pierce would be a strong fit in the Patriots’ offense, but they might believe he’s not enough of an upgrade on their current Kayshon Boutte/Mack Hollins tandem to justify more than $30 million per season,” she wrote. “The 49ers, meanwhile, could be tired of waiting for former first-rounder Ricky Pearsall to stay healthy. Pierce is predictably generating wide interest after the Colts surprisingly let him reach the open market, but he is still most likely to end up with a cap-flushed, receiver-desperate team like the Titans.”
Although the Patriots could be playing coy and letting the market settle before going out to sign Pierce, they might have to go down other avenues to find that perfect partner for Maye.
It’s one of the deeper wide receiver drafts in recent history, and they could find that passing soulmate for Maye this April in Pittsburgh.
