In Alec Pierce's 33 career games as an Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, he has collected 1,107 yards and four touchdowns on 73 receptions.
The Colts' WR1, Michael Pittman Jr., pulled in more yards and receptions in 16 games last season alone.
Pierce didn't particularly light up stat sheets in his four seasons as a Cincinnati Bearcat prior to being selected by Indianapolis in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He racked up 1,851 yards, 106 receptions and 12 touchdowns in 45 games during his collegiate career.
Pierce was expected to produce as the Colts' WR2 last season and failed to do so, pulling in fewer yards and receptions than he did in his rookie campaign.
2024 could be a make-or-break season for Pierce and if his increased production in training camp is anything to go by, he is taking the field with that mentality in mind.
“I think Alec has just had his best camp, arguably as good as anybody out there. Consistent, shows he can play inside and out," general manager Chris Ballard said last week.
Ballard may be confident in the wide receiver room heading into the 2024 season, but the Colts finished 20th in total receiving yards in both of Pierce's first two seasons in Indianapolis.
Granted, some of that falls on the shoulders of the quarterback play the Colts received during the disaster at quarterback in 2022 and the conservative game-manager style from Gardner Minshew in 2023.
He will resume his role as the Colts' WR2 once again this season, yet he may receive more help than ever.
Pierce will be playing alongside an established star in Pittman, potential breakout rookie Adonai Mitchell, the shifty Josh Downs in the slot, and, hopefully, with second-year Anthony Richardson under center for a full season rather than just four games.
Just like Ballard, head coach Shane Steichen has not lost hope in Pierce. He may be as optimistic as ever about Pierce's ability after training camp, but he knows there is a big difference between preseason and the regular season.
“That consistency needs to carry over onto the field this year,” Steichen said. “He made some big-time plays for us in camp, and the consistency is going to be huge, not only with him, but everybody.”
Pierce will be given a chance to keep a vital role as a deep threat in Steichen's offense. Whether he takes advantage of the opportunity will determine the direction of his career.
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