The Washington Commanders are looking for wide receiver help this offseason. But one potential target may have talked himself out of an approach by general manager Adam Peters when the legal tampering window opens.
Peters needs to find the right balance between strengthening the defense and adding to the firepower around star quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders have money to spend, and most respected insiders around the league are expecting Washington to be bold. That doesn't guarantee success, but a surplus of cash doesn't hurt either.
Once he was not tagged by the Indianapolis Colts, wide receiver Alec Pierce instantly became one of the hottest names set to hit the market. He's young, ascending, and a legitimate downfield threat capable of adding a different dynamic to any team's offense. He may be in high demand, but the wideout is looking for much more than just money.
Alec Pierce wants to become something the Commanders already have
During a conversation with Kay Adams on the Up and Adams Show, Pierce laid his cards on the table. He wants to justify the big contract he's about to get. And the best way he can do this is by getting more targets in keeping with some of the elite pass-catchers around the league.
"The coaches and front office know they'll have to back up the contract, so I'm no longer going to be an 80-target player. If I get paid this big contract, they're gonna have to throw me the ball more and give me more things. You've got to justify paying a receiver all this money. You can't be a guy that's catching two balls a game, you know?"
In other words, Pierce wants to be a WR1 somewhere. He wants the 84 targets he accumulated with the Colts last season to increase significantly. He wants to be a threat all over the field, rather than just tied to the deep-threat narrative.
The Commanders already have one of those in Terry McLaurin. He signed an extension with the club last summer after a long contract standoff. Although he missed considerable time due to injury, he remained highly productive when on the field. And new offensive coordinator David Blough has already declared his intent to build the passing attack around the Ohio State product.
McLaurin has averaged 7.34 targets per game throughout his career, equating to 112.2 per season. His lowest number came as a rookie in 2019 with 93. His highest was in 2020 with 134. He is the alpha dog in Washington's wideout room, so paying Pierce north of $20 million or perhaps even $25 million per year might not be something Peters sees as viable when it's all said and done.
Nothing should be dismissed entirely. But Pierce's intentions, coupled with the money involved, could prompt Peters to explore other options.