The expectation lately has been that the Indianapolis Colts will sign Daniel Jones to a contract extension and then slap the franchise tag on wide receiver Alec Pierce in order to prevent him from hitting the open market.
However, the negotiations with Jones might throw a wrench in that plan.
According to Essentially Sports’ Tony Pauline, Jones is asking for more than what the Colts expected he would and the two sides aren’t close on an agreement.
Pauline adds that, if this continues, the Colts might use the tag on Jones instead while hoping they can re-sign Pierce before he gets to free agency, where he’s expected to draw a ton of interest.
“Early on Saturday morning, a member of Pierce’s team confirmed that unless something unusual happens in the coming days, the Colts will tag Pierce, who has generated a ton of buzz here at the combine,” Pauline reported.
“It looks as though something unusual is happening. I’m told the representatives for Daniel Jones and the Colts are not close to coming to terms on a new contract,” he added. “Evidently, Jones wants more money than the Colts expected. This means the franchise may have to go to a contingency plan and put either the transition or franchise tag on Jones, then try to sign Pierce to an extension before free agency opens.”
This is obviously bad news for Indy’s chances of re-signing Pierce.
Pauline has previously said he expects Pierce to test the free-agent market if he does not get the tag, barring a Godfather-style offer from the Colts.
Of course, if Pierce hits the open market, the chances of him returning to Indy will greatly decrease because there will be plenty of suitors vying for his services.
