Because the 2026 free agency class was already not considered to be the best of the last few years, the Patriots couldn't afford to lose many of their top targets to the franchise tag. Unfortunately, tagging players happens before they hit the market, and now New England is set to lose another player whom many analysts had connected to them this year.
That's the current reporting regarding Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce, who has been circled as a primary candidate for the Patriots to sign this offseason. The 25-year-old was considered among the most desirable pass catchers set to hit free agency, and because of that, his current team plans to do whatever they can to keep him around.
NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said as much this past week after attending the NFL Combine, where a lot of free agency chatter is done.
His latest update says the Colts have "made it clear" that Pierce will remain with them, whether via the franchise tag or a long-term deal, officially removing him from the Patriots' contention.
The Patriots are dealt another blow to their offseason plans before free agency even begins
It's just the latest hit to the small group of free agents that have been connected to the Patriots in the weeks since their Super Bowl loss, and now they'll have to look elsewhere for a wide receiver to solve their offensive woes.
The idea that they'll have to trade for the caliber of player they are looking for and need continues to look more plausible by the day, with Pierce being removed from their short list proving that again.
Whether they're willing to do that is another story. The latest suggestion from New England reporters is not to expect any blockbuster trades this offseason, and Mike Vrabel has already stated they'll likely turn to the draft to find the WR1 the roster needs.
That would essentially cross off other big-name receiver trades like AJ Brown, DJ Moore, George Pickens, or even Brian Thomas Jr., all of whom are rumored to be tagged and moved or just available for trade in general.
It's an unfortunate reality the Patriots continue to be in, but if they want to massively improve their receiving corps, they'll have to pull a rabbit out of a hat, or, at the very least, be willing to give up some draft capital and maybe even some players to get who they need in the door.
We'll just have to wait and see how realistic that might be for Vrabel and Eliot Wolf.