Mike Vrabel’s little-known advantage in $80million free agency’s race as A.J. Brown price emerges

Alec Pierce is set to hit free agency, and the New England Patriots hold an advantage in what’s sure to be a hotly-contested pursuit.

The speedy wide receiver will be one of the top players available in 2026, should he not re-sign with the Indianapolis Colts.

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Pierce has played his entire career to date at Lucas Oil Stadium, having arrived as the 53rd overall pick back in 2022.

He is an offensive weapon in the ascendancy, having just racked up his first 1,000 yard NFL season.

Pierce, 25, noted in an interview with Kay Adams last week that he’s ‘earned the right to explore free agency’ and could be set for a big pay-day — with projections of a three-year, $80 million contract.

He won’t be short of suitors, but it’s the Patriots — who were beaten in Super Bowl LX last month — that are said to be in the driving seat.

Mike Vrabel connection could help Pats land Alec Pierce

New England has informed veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs that he’ll be released at the start of the 2026 league year, after just one season.

The decision is said to be purely financial, and the Pats will have a hole to fill on offense when he departs.

Mike Vrabel, who took the team to a Super Bowl in his first season as head coach, has been credited with plenty of good work in Foxborough.

He’s made plenty of changes to the roster already, and NFL insider Albert Breer has pointed out that he had ‘connections’ to a vast majority of players signed in 2025.

Vrabel, as it happens, also has connections to Pierce, which could see the WR land in New England.

“Last year, like 80 to 90 percent of the guys they signed had connections to the coaching staff,” Breer said, during an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

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“Do you know who Alec Pierce’s college coach was? Mike Vrabel’s best friend in the world….. Luke Fickell (now Wisconsin HC).

“Luke Fickell and Mike Vrabel played together at Ohio State. They are the best of friends.

“If you go back and you look at some of the things that Luke Fickell said about Alec Pierce when he was at the University of Cincinnati, you’ll see what a valuable piece Pierce was there.

“Luke Fickell would constantly say, ‘Alec Pierce’s best football is ahead of him.’

“That’s the question: It’s not what he is now. You’re not paying him for what he has been the last two years.

“You’re paying him for what you think he’s going to be for the next four.”

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It’s not a stretch to suggest that Pierce’s best football could come with the Patriots — especially given the Vrabel-Fickell connection.

But he might not be the only offseason target for New England.

A.J. Brown price set with resolution expected in coming days

Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown is another wideout who could be on the move.

He’s not a free agent, and the NFC East champions are said to have set a high price for their receiver, which could complicate any trade.

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But the Patriots have been touted for a blockbuster deal, that according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, would require them to send ‘a potential first-round pick with a second-round sweetener’ to Philly in exchange.

The price will remain very high, with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman happy to take Brown into the 2026 season if he can’t move him.

A final decision on the perennial 1,000-yard receiver is expected in the coming days.

“The Eagles and teams involved in A.J. Brown trade discussions want the situation resolved in the next couple of days so they can move on to the rest of their offseason planning and identify other players on their wishlists,” insider Dianna Russini wrote on Friday.

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Big decisions, then, await in New England and could be made imminently.

The AFC champions could take a big swing on Brown, or bet on the Vrabel connection to serve them well if they decide to pursue Pierce.

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