Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce set career highs in catches and receiving yards during the 2025 season and that sent him into a pivotal offseason on a positive note.
The 2025 season was the final year of Pierce’s rookie deal in Indianapolis and it sets him up to be one of the top wideouts on the open market when free agency gets underway in March. The Colts could keep him off that market by re-signing him, but they’ll have to offer him more than what Pierce believes he can get on the open market.
Time will tell how hard the team pushes on that front, but Pierce told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he’s expecting a big offseason one way or another.
“I think it’s gonna be a lot of good things in front of me,” Pierce said. “We’ll see, this next month might be crazy. We’ll see what ends up happening.”
Pierce has averaged 21.75 yards per catch over the last two seasons and his production as a big-play threat will land him a significant payday somewhere next month.
Colts Clips
The NFL filed a grievance over the NFL Players Association’s annual report cards in order to keep the NFLPA from publicizing criticisms of teams and owners. The NFL won a ruling preventing the NFLPA from doing so.
Still, the 26-page ruling from arbitrator Scott E. Buchheit, a copy of which PFT has obtained, makes it clear that the next wave of report cards may be disseminated to all players.
The opinion also includes a full list of the criticisms about which the NFL complained from the 2025 report cards.
Here’s the full content of relevant portions of Buchheit’s written decision.
“As to the individual comments contained within the Report Cards that lead to the letter grades, the NFLMC has richly detailed that they do contain numerous criticisms. These include, but are not limited to, the following examples from the 2025 Report Card that are contained in its brief:
“New York Jets: The Union said Players complained that ‘management responded to feedback [from prior Team Report Cards] by making conditions worse,’ including cutting the food budget and not retaining a long-time dietician after poor food grades the prior year. The Union also graded owner Woody Johnson an F — the lowest owner rating in the league, 5.58 out of 10 — which, according to Players, resulted from his perceived unwillingness to invest in facilities. . . . Players cited ‘perceived top leadership issues, with some describing issues as “top-down problems”'—reflecting ownership concerns.
“Cincinnati Bengals: The Union again criticized treatment of families, stating that Players called it a ‘major concern’ and saying there is ‘little to no effort’ to support families. ‘One player describes the treatment of families as “‘almost disrespectful,”’ resulting in a grade of F-minus.
“Buffalo Bills: The Union dropped the Club in the overall rankings from prior years because ‘issues . . . previously raised [by Players] . . . have not been addressed and thus have become greater concerns[.]’ The Union claimed Players were concerned that ‘current [training] staffing is inadequate to help them recover,’ and ‘travel continues to be the worst part of their experience’ because they ‘do not have a comfortable amount of space when traveling and the travel schedule itself is a source of significant dissatisfaction.’
“Arizona Cardinals: The Union ranked the Club last overall based on Player feedback, criticizing the treatment of families (lack of family events, limits on pregame sideline access, poor in-game family accommodations), and a so-called deficient locker room, training facilities, and weight room. The Union stated that Players also faulted owner Michael Bidwill, saying he ‘slightly contributes to a positive team culture’ and is only ‘somewhat committed to building a competitive team[.]’
“Philadelphia Eagles: The Union highlighted that Players ‘are frustrated that mealtimes overlap with the organization’s business staff, leading to crowding and limited seats,’ and ‘feel they should get first class seats on team flights instead of the coaching staff.’
“Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Union published that Players criticized the locker room, lodging ‘several complaints about cleanliness, including poor ventilation and a persistent bad smell.’
“Jacksonville Jaguars: The Union gave the Club an F for treatment of families; ‘Players believe that many changes need to be made,’ including more access to sideline passes, a family room during the game, and upgrades to the post-game family area.
“Kansas City Chiefs: The Union said Players ‘continue to express the need for renovation and upgrades to the locker room’ and criticized the home game hotel as the ‘lowest in the league,’ remarking that it is ‘outdated,’ the beds are ‘uncomfortable,’ and the floors are ‘dirty and sticky.’
“Carolina Panthers: The Union continued to cite Player criticisms of owner David Tepper for using ‘turf instead of grass, perhaps because it is cheaper to maintain,’ and complained about travel due to the ‘new coaching staff moving players from first class last season and placing them in smaller, coach seats.’
“New England Patriots: The Union gave the Club a failing travel grade and singled out the ‘team plane’ —'Players specifically responded that “our plane is the worst thing – size, space, [and] safety,”’ and ‘it is not conducive to preparedness for athletic performance,’ because, among other things, ‘it lacks Wi-Fi and still has ashtrays in the seats.’ One player also referred to the carpeting in the locker room as ‘dingy with pieces missing.’
“Indianapolis Colts: The Union stated that Players complained of travel arrangements, noting that they ‘don’t feel like they have enough personal space on flights. They want more access to first-class seating.’
Those are the full complaints from the 2025 report cards that were included in Buchheit’s decision. Eleven teams in all were mentioned, with three owners identified by name — Woody Johnson, Michael Bidwill, and David Tepper.
The complaints listed in the 26-page ruling come from not from the to-be-released report cards but from the report cards prepared and published in 2025. It’s inevitable, however, that one of the many NFLPA members who’ll receive the 2026 report card will disclose them, to someone. Once they’re leaked (to PFT or to another outlet), we’ll post them here in full.
UPDATE 11:46 p.m. ET: An earlier version of this article mistakenly characterized the complaints listed above as coming from the survey conducted in 2025, not from the report cards released in 2025. The 2025 surveys were not included in Buccheit’s opinion. They’ll eventually be released to the players but not published by the NFLPA. In past years, the report cards were released during the Scouting Combine.
The Colts are hiring Marion Hobby as their defensive line coach, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports.
Hobby only became Arkansas’ defensive line coach in December.
He has 10 years of experience in the NFL, including four seasons (2021-24) in Cincinnati with current Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Trey Hendrickson recorded a combined 35 sacks in the 2023-24 seasons.
Hobby spent the 2025 season at the University of Tennessee, his alma mater, serving as a defensive analyst for the Volunteers. He helped the Vols rank fifth nationally in sacks per game (3.0) and 13th in tackles for loss per game (6.8).
His other NFL experience includes stints with the Dolphins (2019-20), Jaguars (2017-18) and Saints (2006-07).
It’s convenient to drag the Vikings for not re-signing quarterback Sam Darnold a year ago. But the Vikings were far from alone.
Multiple other teams could have pursued Darnold as a free agent. They didn’t.
The Steelers opted for Aaron Rodgers. The Raiders traded for Geno Smith. (Tom Brady reportedly didn’t want Darnold.) The Jets overpaid Justin Fields (not that they could have brought back Darnold). The Colts went with Daniel Jones as the alternative to Anthony Richardson.
The Seahawks, after getting a third-round pick for Smith, pivoted to Darnold. They signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal. He’s making $33.5 million per year, nearly half the amount of the open market.
He’ll make $27.5 million in 2026 and $35.5 million in 2027. Darnold received $37.5 million in 2025, with a cap number of only $13.4 million. His cap number increases to $37.9 million in 2026 and $41.9 million in 2027.
It was, and is, a steal for Seattle. One that, given his performance and the team’s achievements in 2025, justifies a new deal, much sooner than later.
The contract was a great one for the Seahawks. They bought low. The fact that Darnold grossly outplayed the deal counts as a good problem to have for the Seahawks.
Regardless, it’s time to pay the piper — if the Seahawks regard Darnold as the short- and long-term answer at the quarterback position.
The Bill Belichick snub has sparked an effort to determine which of the 50 Hall of Fame voters failed to put him on their ballot. Many have wondered whether former Buccaneers and Colts coach Tony Dungy voted for Belichick, based on Dungy’s ties to former Colts G.M. Bill Polian — who eventually said he did vote for Belichick.
At a Tuesday NBC press conference, Dungy addressed the Belichick elephant in the room.
Asked by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports regarding whether he voted for Belichick or Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Dungy said, “Well, first of all, we don’t know that they didn’t get inducted in the Hall of Fame. I’m a voter. I have not heard who’s in or who’s out. So I’m not going to make a comment on it and speculate. We’ll find out I think on Thursday who’s in and who’s out.”
Dungy’s position apparently arises from a desire to respect the Hall of Fame’s procedures. After the announcement is made on Thursday, he may decide to disclose whether he selected Belichick and/or Kraft from a list of five candidates Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood were the other options. All voters picked three of the five.
If none of the five got at least 40 votes, the highest vote getter will be inducted. If Belichick got 39, it means that at least one of the five got to 40.
The Giants have requested to interview Colts passing game coordinator Alex Tanney for their offensive coordinator position, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Tanney is a former Giants quarterback who played in New York from 2018-20.
He has served in his current role for two seasons.
Tanney began his NFL coaching career in 2021 with the Eagles. He was an offensive quality control coach for one season before becoming the assistant quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant in 2022 and then the quarterbacks coach in 2023.
The Giants are seeking a new offensive coordinator under John Harbaugh. They fired Mike Kafka, who was the team’s offensive coordinator and then interim head coach last season after the firing of Brian Daboll.
There’s another team with interest in Jim Bob Cooter to be their offensive coordinator.
Per Peter Schrager of ESPN, Cooter will meet with the Giants to discuss that team’s OC vacancy.
The Giants were likely to hire Todd Monken to be the club’s first offensive coordinator under new head coach John Harbaugh. But the Browns interrupted those plans by hiring Monken as their head coach. So now, the Giants will have to pivot.
Cooter has been with the Colts since 2023. He was previously an offensive coordinator with the Lions from 2016-2018. He’s also spent time with the Chiefs, Broncos, Jets, Eagles, and Jaguars.
Philadelphia has also expressed interest in Cooter as a potential option at offensive coordinator.
New York has reportedly requested an interview with Broncos passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Davis Webb as well.
The Bill Belichick snub has had plenty of ripple effects. The biggest came from the alleged role of Hall of Fame G.M. and Hall of Fame voter Bill Polian in persuading other voters to pass on enshrining Belichick.
It started in the ESPN.com story regarding Belichick’s omission. From the report: “A voter who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Polian, an ardent [Robert] Kraft supporter and former general manager of the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts -- a chief Patriots rival during their dynasty -- told some voters he believed Belichick should ‘wait a year’ before induction as penance for Spygate.”
Polian initially said to SI.com, “That’s totally and categorically untrue. I voted for [Belichick].” Polian then told ESPN.com that he can’t recall with 100-percent certainty whether he voted for Belichick. On Wednesday, Polian confirmed that he did in fact vote for Belichick.
None of this has kept Polian from being accused of instigating Belichick’s failure to qualify. Based on the explanation from Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star regarding his decision not to vote for Belichick, it’s entirely possible that more than a few voters omitted Belichick from their ballots in favor of former players Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood, reasoning that Belichick will get in eventually and that the players may never make it.
Regardless, the prevailing view, as explained by Belichick’s presenter, Armando Salguero, is that Spygate derailed Belichick’s candidacy.
John Carroll University football coach Brian Polian, Bill’s son, has weighed in on the situation.
“My father is a public figure and polarizing,” Brian Polian said on Twitter. “I understand and accept that. However, what has happened over the last couple of days is not right. The facts and the truth are important.”
Whatever the reasoning for the 11 (or more) who failed to include Belichick as one of three selections from a group that included Anderson, Craig, Greenwood, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Belichick didn’t get enough votes. It’s a product of the process, one that (for whatever reason) no longer requires an up-or-down vote on each of the finalists.
No one voted “against” Belichick. Not enough voted “for” him. Next year, the Hall of Fame will surely fix this.
The broader question is whether the Hall of Fame will overhaul its voting procedures in order to restore the bar to where it used to be. If not, the annual classes will shrink, the logjam will grow, and more worthy candidates (relative to those already enshrined) will be overlooked.
The Eagles’ extended search for a new offensive coordinator now includes a second interview with Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Cooter had an in-person interview with the team on Tuesday. Cooter interviewed with the Eagles virtually earlier this month.
The Colts could have blocked Cooter from interviewing since it is a lateral move, but moving to the Eagles would give Cooter a chance to call offensive plays. Head coach Shane Steichen handles those duties for the Colts.
Steichen and Cooter were both on Nick Sirianni’s Eagles’ staff in 2021 with Steichen as the offensive coordinator and Cooter in a consulting role. That familiarity could help Cooter land a different role in Philly this time around.
Two new tight ends were added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster on Monday.
Dalton Kincaid of the Bills and Tyler Warren of the Colts will now be headed to San Francisco for next week’s festivities. They replace Travis Kelce of the Chiefs and Brock Bowers of the Raiders.
Kincaid had 39 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns for the Bills this season. He also had nine catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. It’s the first time he has been selected for the Pro Bowl.
Warren was a first-round pick last year and led all rookies with 76 catches in the regular season. He picked up 817 yards and four touchdowns on those receptions.
