Green Light with Chris Long - Alec Pierce on Re-Signing with the Colts, Daniel Jones & Philip Rivers' Return

Episode Date: June 4, 2026

Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts joins Chris Long on the Green Light Podcast. The Colts had a busy offseason bringing back Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce who revealed that one of the biggest selling points in returning to the Colts was QB continuity and Indy has it heading into 2026. Alec talks to Chris about the Colts season in 2025, the number of QBs he's received passes from, the feeling of getting the bag and the hit he took from the Texans' Jalen Pitre. All of that and more on today's episode. (00:00) - Intro (02:00) - Playing with Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan, Nick Foles and Joe Flacco (09:30) - Learning from WR Coach Reggie Wayne (15:00) - Toughest NFL DBs (18:10) - Colts' 2025 Season (19:10) - Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren and Colts Running Game (22:40) - Colts WRs (24:42) - Getting Paid (28:00) - Daniel Jones Leadership Have some interesting takes, some codebreaks or just want to talk to the Green Light Crew? We want to hear from you. Call into the Green Light Hotline presented by Zone Nicotine and give us your hottest takes, your biggest gripes and general thoughts. Day and night, this hotline is open: ‪[phone]‬ With the return of the Layup Line, make sure to check out the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1olmCMKGMEyWwOKaT1Aah3?si=YP1-ffQ3T_yUDRnJRhDtOw Check out Green Light's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can catch all the latest GL action: Green Light with Chris Long: Subscribe and enjoy weekly content including podcasts, documentaries, live chats, celebrity interviews and more including hot news items, trending discussions from the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA are just a small part of what we will be sharing with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So my first game ever was against Houston, and I ran a dig, and there was Petrie right there. And he hit me so hard, my face mask bent. I love play action. I love 12 personnel. I think 12 personnel, you get a few great matchups on the outside. I usually one-on-one. It kind of synthesize coverage. I really love, like, establishing the run, and I think that's so cool.

Between Matt Ryan, Nick Foles, Philip Rivers, and Joe Flacko, how many years of NFL experience you think that group has, dude? I mean, that's got to be at least. 70 years, right? Joining the show now is, man, a guy that just got paid. Alec Pierce, well-deserved, one of the best deep threats in football. And he's joining us, it looks like, from the indie facility. How you doing, bro? Good, how are you?

I'm good. How's the off-season treating you? I know you got a little rehab going and all that stuff. Yeah, no, it's going well. We just, like I said, I'm from the facility. I'm fresh out of the, I'm sure you missed the uniform picture days, man. It was like a, just slapping on the back of O. OTAs. So, yeah, added, like, a good two hours of pictures and stuff like that. So,

oh, yeah, I remember those days. Where, where are you a, are you a back row guy? Or are you, where you at? Oh, so we did that, uh, not like the team photo, but the, you know, like when they do all the, you know, with the, just to fill shots. And now, I mean, I don't know when you were playing, but now they do all these video shoots and, um, and then I was in with like, NBC and stuff, you know, recording like, like, oh, like, Alec Pierce, Cincinnati and then, you know, all that, all that stuff. So it was, it's, it's, it's a little bit tedious, but I know. I know exactly what you're talking about, dude.

They used to make you. Yeah. Nothing feels weird than throwing your stuff on and you're not going out to play. Like, and then they're like, hey, do a pose like you would during the game. You're like, this one, they're like, no, a little bit more dramatic, dude. Yeah, I remember those days, dude. I absolutely remember it. And I always forget to get a haircut or like trim my beard before it happens.

So, yeah, I'll see that. Yeah. first off, you've caught balls from, I didn't do the math, but I have a list here. It's like eight, ten guys in your career. And between Matt Ryan, Nick Foles, Philip Rivers, and Joe Flacco, how many years of NFL experience you think that that group has, dude? Matt, I mean, that's got to be at least 70 years, right? Probably, like, low 70s. I have it at 64. Wow. Yeah, that's like, yeah, because it's, I mean, probably two of those guys are pushing, I mean, two of those guys. Yeah, I mean, the heavy lifting is Phil and Flacco 18

to pop, dude. Yeah. So I just, I think it's cool. Obviously, I'm tight with Nick and what a dude. I love Nick. Matt's a great guy from my draft class. Played against Philip. Flacko's from my draft class. So it's just, I think it's so cool that you were able to be around these type of dudes, even if it was just for a minute. Yeah. Without putting you on the spot, like, what did you learn from them. I know it's like I'm asking about four guys if there's one guy or a story in particular, like something that you took from

playing with those dudes. I mean, Phil's basically a head coach is what it looked like. Last year was a head coach on the field. I mean, Phil was a completely different story. That was incredible. Like he, he um, yeah, he was like playing like Madden out there. Like he was

caught, because I, what I realized, I, he almost brought me into like football history. I realized our offense was kind of like, derived because I knew I played for Frank Wright before, you know, Shane. And I knew, so I knew this, like, offense was kind of tied in because when Shane came in, it was like basically the same offense, you know, slight verbage changed. But I'd say 90% of stuff, same stuff, right? Maybe just add some, a few wrinkles and stuff.

So I'm like, oh, this is interesting. Like, these teams all run the same offense. And I learned it was like, you know, Philly and the Colts, but it came from San Diego. And what happened was, I think Phil, I don't. don't know if they kind of created it with Phil or if it was before him, but basically, like, that was like his, that was like his offense is like his baby, you know, so, like, he, he didn't really know our words, like, like, we're having to kind of like, he'd say some stuff that I would remember from, like, Frank's offense. Like, I was like, I remember that word, but I,

that's, we don't use that anymore, you know, and we had to kind of get him up to speed on some of like the verbiage and stuff, but yeah, he was just called, he would be calling out plays. Like, you know, normally we get up there and we have, like, like, one play, killed another play, maybe have a third player. Phil was like, it was like the unlimited audible. Like he could check to any, any play based on what he saw. Yes, dude. It was like me and Josh had little signals and stuff out there because you're in the,

we were at Seattle. It's loud in there. You can't hear anything. So like he's yelling something at the line and like it's like a game of telephone, right? Like Josh is in the slot. He probably can't hear what he's saying. No chance me out on the number. can hear what he's saying. So then I'm like yelling to Josh and Josh is like there's a few times

where I'm like, man, I'm like, I'm like, I'm like Block and he was just like, yeah, we had a little signal for Block. That was it. That was a good one. Just like, yeah, let me know. I don't want to take your signals. No, I was, I think it's all your most of the stuff. Yeah. But I had so much fun just watching because obviously, and this is not taking anything away from guys, a Hall of Fame talent quarterback but like he's older and he's not he doesn't have the same arm he had and i wonder like it was just cool to be like how powerful is this guy's mind yeah what can he will his his 44-year-old body to do out here and i remember the first time he got hit in Seattle i held my breath and he was like he kind of hit the ground he hit the ground like an old guy but he got up dude and it was like

you could see it in his eyes. He was like, no, I'm fine. Yeah. Like, I'm fucking fine. And just watching you guys go to Seattle, play them to the wall, beat the dog shit out of San Fran. It was like you guys were moving the ball up and down the field. It was a spectacle, man. As a former player and a fan, I wonder if like there was a moment when you guys found out that this was happening, what was the buzz? And then when he came in the locker room, did he address you all like hey man i'm i'm here because i love the game you know like i hope you guys will accept me like that type of thing yeah his um so so i think i honestly think i

like saw something on like instagram or something probably honestly somebody probably sent in one of our like i thought it was fake yeah one of those fake accounts right um but yeah then then i remember his speeches were incredible like he if he ever wants to be a head coach i think could be a really, really good head coach. Because you know how it is, a lot of the stuff, like, like a guy that's a Hall of Fame or, like, he's going to have buying from the whole team. Like, that's probably half the battle of the coach, right?

And then, too, mentally, just so, so, so great offensively. I'm sure, you know, he knows defense, too. But, and then I think just, like, the third thing is, like, you got to be able to kind of, like, rally the troops and, like, fire the team up as the head coach. And his speeches were incredible without even really being, like, like too much they were just so like authentic and like he got up there and he's like man he's like man he's like he's like i don't he's like i don't know he's like i don't know if i could do this you know

like he's like he's basically like you know he was basically saying it's just very raw like he's like i don't i don't really know like how this is going to go but he's like i'm like i'm going to fight with you guys like every last minute and like you know like we're going to give it all and like it's going to be like like you know it's not going to be pretty like the game of football never is pretty and it's just like it was it was pretty I think we were all like really fired up to go out there and play with him just off like, like his speeches, man, we're incredible. And like he said, he addressed the team when he came here, kind of that same thing.

Like, look, like, I got this call. He's like, the safe thing for me would have been to say no. And, you know, not a while. He's like, I'm not going to lie. I'm a little, like, I was a little nervous. I was a little scared when I started thinking about it. But he's like, you know, like the safe thing would have been to just like stay on my couch and just stay comfortable. But he was like, I, you know, want to challenge myself.

And I want, you know, we'll see, we'll see if we can do it, you know, so. From T shots, the game winning goals and buzzer beating baskets make every moment unforgettable with BetMGM. BetMGM gives you access to second chance promos, odds boost tokens, same game parlayes, and so much more. Check back every day for new promos and offers to take advantage of. And if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code green light and you'll get up to a $1,500 new player offer on your first wager at MGM make it legendary if you've ever played sports you know the competition can get pretty heated same goes for the all new flavor of zone nicotine pouches introducing jalapeno lime it's a burst of citrus meets a subtle fiery kick each pouch is a

premium nicotine experience with intensity and flavor that lasts now available in six and nine milligrams want to learn more about zone nicotine pouches visit zone Pouches.com and remember to join the loyalty zone for exclusive rewards and offers. You know, obviously, like, you've also caught balls from, from A.R., from Minchu, Ellinger, Leonard. I hope I'm not forgetting anybody, but I think that's, that's eight guys, man. And so I really look forward to seeing you have some continuity, bro, because I know that's got to be. I know you're not complaining ever, but I'm sure it's something you've been longer to have. now and now you got it and DJ

was DJ out there throwing? It's publicly available information so I'm not trying to pry but he's out there throwing. Yeah he's throwing he was throwing at practice I think all this week looks good. Golly dude. It's amazing. Yeah. It's amazing what dudes can do now. And I also figure

if I had to guess you're not going to get Reggie Wayne in your receiver room in a lot of other places. You know what I mean? Right. That has to mean some. I don't know if there's any other hall of fan, hall of hand coaches out there, you know. Yeah.

Talk to me about, talk to me about, because I had a bunch of position coaches. And, you know, it's sometimes it's hit or miss. And, you know, there's some really well-meaning guys that might not know everything. Or there's some great coaches that maybe didn't play. But, like, you've got a great coach that played and he's been through everything.

Yeah. You've been through, like, it kind of feels like a superpower. What's that like having Reggie to bounce things off of? What type of coach would you, how would you describe his style? He's definitely, he's definitely a players coach. Like, he's very, like, we're very close with him. He just understands, I think, from playing receiver that, like, you don't really want it. You know how it is when you're sitting there and getting kind of, like, very, very overcoached on things.

I think he understands that he kind of, like, knows as a receiver, that kind of the creativity and getting open and stuff like that is up to us. And I don't think he likes to limit things too much, put too many rules on like that. you know like he wants you to he'll tell you if you do something and it doesn't work like like like or like hey like I wouldn't do that but like he's not really going to be one that's going to like be like you got to run this route this way like he kind of would say like hey you know I I think I might try to do that there or this might work but at the end of day it's kind of up to you you know so I think that's my probably that my favorite thing about him as a coach is just knowing that he has been there and you know been in our shoes and he understands

how to play well here and how to, you know, they were great when he was here. The organization was great. So, yeah, it's just the biggest thing, I think, because I was able to really connect with him my first four years. Like, I think, you know, he came in and Marvin Harrison was the top dog in the room. And I don't think he was late. He didn't have, like, instant success in the league. I actually think I saw a stat, like our numbers were maybe identical through three years

or something like that. So he didn't necessarily. have like he wasn't he wasn't a pro bowler in those first few years and I think I think his fourth years really when he kind of came onto the scene and just talking with him just knowing about like like asking him like how like he was able to to stick with it how he's able to continue to grow every year like stuff like that I think that's truly invaluable and that other coach is probably not going to be able to give their players as much yeah it feels like you know like the former player in him would not knowing him at all but

But as a player, you don't like being overcoached. That was a really, you bringing that up first. I mean, I'm nodding my head in agreement. As a past rusher, you know, you want your landmarks. You want to know, hey, I can't take an inside move. In this situation, you've got to be situationally sound. You got to understand, you know, route distribution or whatever for you guys or rush lanes for us.

But a lot of the, it's an art form. You know, like getting open, I'm sure there are some commonalities between rushers and... For sure. I mean, I don't know how many dudes are trying to press you or what, but they are kind of the same things a little bit. I watch you guys in practice

and your handwork is really important and that sort of thing, but it does feel like more of an art form than a science. Yeah, because it's, I mean, it's one of those things where there's a million different ways to do it, you know?

Like, it's like the way I do things and get open is going to be way different than the way Josh Downs does. No question. It's open, you know? So it's like, there's no, like, like one clear-cut answer for everybody. So I think that's why, you know, who's going to know how to get open the best is probably yourself, you know, because it's, you understand what works for you,

what doesn't work for you. And then you really just got to understand what they're worried about with you and then kind of try and use that to threaten, you know, threaten their technique and whatnot and win off that. Did you, did you kind of find yourself getting more attention as your career is going on? I mean, obviously, like externally you're getting, attention, but on the field, too, I mean, you know, Pittman being the established guy and you kind of bursting on the scene, I don't think anybody had more yards for reception than you last year. Like, could you feel more attention being paid to you as time went on recently? I mean, I always feel the presence of like a lot of, I get a lot of cover too and a lot of safety

over the top. You know, that's like big thing. And I'll, you know, sometimes I'm kind of saying like, oh, yeah, you know, we got to get this play up at a different time, because I'm thinking it's like a third and, you know, a lot of times that be third 11, they throw you to the meet of the boundary or whatnot and stuff like that. I'm like, just covered too. Like I think that was a big time when I was to be three by one by myself, like cloud a lot of times. But I, you also can't tell like, is that just because we're in a passing down there or is,

you know, whatnot? But I think talking with the coaches, they're like, look, they're going to, they're, going to play a lot of the safety over the top with you just knowing that like that's kind of my game the deep the deep ball is like you know I'm a deep thread um and so that's like the one thing you know it is not playing defense like they they pull up the scouting report and they're probably going to lead with with that I didn't say 14 like we got to keep him in front don't let them like you know get get past the defense yeah so are there are there any guys that you've played that have you know, you're so good at the top of the route with your strength.

And, you know, if you're running a comeback, you know, for a big guy, you're really stopping a dime. You can go up and get the ball. Like, are there guys that you've played that you were impressed with their ability on the other side where it's like, man, it's a real battle for this 50-50 ball? Yeah. I mean, you know, Patrick Sertane is very, very good, right? Like, he's... That was a fun game to watch, man. Yeah.

Yeah, that was a crazy game, man. I think for the Falcons, AJ Terrell, I think he's very good and probably I'd say a little bit underrated. Like, I don't know. People always talk about Patrick Satane, right? So that's like, you're going to hear that. But I'd say AJ Terrell, I think he's a really good player.

The corner for the, for New England. I mean, you saw him in the class this year. Yeah, he's a beast. Christian Gonzalez, right? Christian Gonzalez. He's a big. big guy, huh? He's a big guy. He can run. He's a good player, and he's obviously young, and it looks like just watching casually as a fan this show. I didn't watch the film or anything, but it felt

like he was like in the Super Bowl, like, he came to play and it was really, you know, while the rest of their team didn't have the best game. Like, he was, he was kind of putting on a show out there. And Stingley, too, we play him every, every, you know, twice a year. He's, he's talked about like 50-50 ball. Like, he, I think, in the, league probably makes the best like like he he he's almost like a receiver out there you know like he he he does a really good job playing the ball in the area and not only just like breaking it up but like he'll he'll have some kind of crazy picks so you bring up houston i have to wonder i mean you're right correct me if wrong you've run more in cuts as your career is going on like you your your route tree

has definitely expanded that's a when you play houston and you're running a dig yeah is that a little nerve-wracking. So my first game ever was against Houston, and I ran a dig, and I got, like, it was like a backside of RPO, so like a shorter, 12-yard kind of dig route. And I think there were quarters and kind of got flushed at the pocket. So they came to me late, like, backside end window, and it was quarters to the backst of safety, and it was Petrie right there. And he hit me, he hit me so hard. It was his first game, too, because I knew him from the senior rule stuff. But he hit me so hard my face mask bent it was funny because on the sideline I was trying to take my helmet off and I think they just thought I was messed up because I couldn't take my helmet off and

I'm like I'm like so he bent the sucker in yeah if hit my face mask and it in it bent and that's why I couldn't take my helmet off I was trying to get this thing but I think it was stuck in the like the face mask kind of pinched it when it bent so I'm but I was sitting there like trying to take it off and they're like he's got to be one of the hardest sitters in the in the league and then he puts that big ass bonnet on the big helmet on Yeah, bro. Yeah. So it was unfair.

Pads it for us a little bit, right? Yeah. That's, I mean, it's fun. It was fun watching you guys last year when you, you guys were really humming before DJ got hurt. I wonder what you think the most complete performance. Like, if I were just to ask you right now, what was y'all's best offensive performance last year, considering the competition or just the way you guys were in flow? Man, we were so, we were so dominant. it early in the season. I think that

even though they kind of came back against us that LA game, you know? Dude, I was going to say. Yeah, we were like, because I think all phases were kind of clicking, you know, and it was a, that was a, I mean, they kind of cleaned up the score at the end of the game, but we were like, and they were a really good team, and we were at LA, you know? I don't think y'all punted for like the whole, it was crazy. I mean, yeah, I mean, we ran the ball. I mean, I love to know the stats

in the game. I feel like, like, J.T. part ran for us. ton that game and then yes you know i think pit had a touchdown you might have a couple passing touchdowns well i'm glad you brought up jt because i mean you know you being a receiver you think you might not get many questions about the damn i mean obviously he's gonna he's gonna get the box packed a little bit and you know he's gonna help you guys with numbers but i think probably with you play action is such a big part of you know your game too and so how excited do you get you know seeing that you guys are going to be heavily featuring those looks in a game plan. Yeah, I love it.

I mean, I've always, I kind of grew up always playing in a team that was a run heavy offense. And honestly, like, I think the NFL is probably the most, like, past heavy offense I've been in since being with the Colts. So I've always been used to, like, not getting a ton of targets. But, like, when you do get targets, you know how it is. You run the ball and then you throw the ball over the top. Yeah. That's kind of, I think, where my game developed and the schemes I've always been in. So I love, like, I love play action.

I love 12 personnel. I think 12 personnel, you get, you get great matchups on the outside. It's usually one-on-one. It kind of simplify its coverage. They do a lot less like, you know, like cloud and stuff like that. So it's, it's, I really love, like, establishing the run. And I think that's so important, you know, makes, makes it really, like, easier for the offense. Ty Warren definitely changes things for you guys, doesn't he?

He does. He does, yeah. because like you said, like he not only like people probably don't recognize as much, but like he is a complete tight end. Like he helps the run game just as much as he helps the past game, you know, being able to go in there, do those slice blocks, like do all those like kind of tough blocks. And then what that does is that sets up to play action because then he's actually, it's not a tell, you know.

Every team knows like the the tight end that goes in there and only does pass plays, right? So like I'm sure you guys have some type of call them out. Yeah, you have some type of a call. Like it's, it's 12 personnel, but it's like, it's like 11 and a half. Like that extra tight end in there is like, he's basically the receiver. He's not blocking. That's well put. So, yeah, like he, I don't, I don't think you can scout him because he does it, he does it all, you know.

Right. Yeah. And I hear he's a pretty good singer. Is that what they're saying? That's what I heard. I heard, I heard, uh, because you guys haven't. His rookie show is his rookie show is good. I actually don't really.

It was good. I don't remember. It was solid? It was solid. It was solid. Yeah, he doesn't like the spotlight, so he doesn't like the spotlight, so he's not putting on a performance or anything, but I think his voices was all right, you know. I think, did I ask law to? I can't remember if I asked law to about his rookie dinner and he was saying they took it easy on him.

Yeah. Did you get hit over the head with the rookie dinner or no? So Michael Pittman didn't, he was actually my vet. I didn't, we had like a really young room when I was in there. And I guess Ty Y. Hilton, yeah, T.Y. Hilton didn't do anything from Pitt. So that's kind of the tradition we have going here. I mean, I know some of the position groups here do it. And I actually, I went to Tyler's rookie dinner last year because there's only a couple

tight ends, you know, he's first round picks. You can't just have like four guys out at dinner, right? You got to. I'm just glad. I'm glad to hear it's gotten better. It used to be awful. What did they get you for? 20.

20 and how many people? There was like the whole defense, dude. Guys at the end of the, I had to cuss out a couple guys that I really respected and they were vets because they were trying to take bottles of Louie. home with them. Yeah. I'll buy you from the store like, I'll buy you from the store like, I'll put in your locker tomorrow like for not here though.

Yeah. Not here, dude. Yeah. Yeah. So I, the other guy I wanted to ask you about was Downs. I think he's, I mean, he's got he's got to be one of the most underrated slot guys in the NFL in my, in my opinion. What is it about him that, that differentiates him in your opinion?

I think it's three things. quickness, his mental stuff, you know, he's doing a lot of, like, kind of option-type route. So, like, him diagnosing coverages and being, like, knowing what the defense is doing. And I think him and Daniel being on the same page with that is going to be special. And I think we really get to see now they have, you know, a whole other year of, like, kind of working on that. Because last, last offseason, like, people don't realize, like, Daniel and took half the reps at camp, you know, like we, like, there's Daniel and AR. They were battling out. and I don't think we chose a starter until probably at least like halfway through August or late August.

So just wrapping out like stuff like that. And then also I think what's really underrated with Josh is I think his hands are incredible, which I think for for those like smaller quicker receivers a lot of times, you know, just physically they're usually smaller. So I think like, you know, it's a lot easier to catch the ball when you have huge hands. And if you're 5'9 or whatever he is, like usually I don't think. Guys have like huge hands, but he, I don't know if he has huge hands. He catches the ball like really, really, really cleanly and naturally. He's not 5'10.

You're not giving him 510. I mean, we joke about it all the time. We got him and our partner partner Anthony Gould like, they're the two shortest and they like, they argue all the time. Who's the top of us? They do. They always are arguing, dude, those little guys. But congrats on the deal.

I remember walking by you at the Super Bowl and this cracked me up. because it was my first reaction seeing you. I'd never mentioned it. I was like, oh, that dude's about to get paid. And you turned your head because you knew exactly who I was talking about. No, that was what I did it feel to get that bag, dude? It felt good, man. You know, I think everything worked out exactly how I was hoping it to and, you know,

exactly how it should have happened, you know. So just I didn't want to leave Indianapolis. And, you know, I'm glad we came up with a deal. We worked out of deal and, yeah, it got done. Yeah, it kind of felt like from the outside looking in, anytime a guy that's like homegrown gets the deal from the team that drafts him and that sort of thing, like it kind of looks seamless. And I kind of wonder under the hood what that was like considering.

I referenced the list of QBs that you've caught footballs from, I think probably if I'm you, some continuity is important. Was there, like, a pursuit of continuity in that way? Like, hey, I want to make sure DJ's here. Yes. And we've got a guy to throw me the football. Yeah, that was 100% the, like, first thing me and my agents talk about, you know,

they kind of do the hypotheticals, like, where, what are you looking for? Do you want to get the most money do you want to play for, like, you know, this team, this city? Like, and I was like, I want to play, I want to have quarterback stability. That was like my one kind of thing I said. And I believe in DJ. It was just that he wasn't signed here. So like I kind of told and they knew that too.

The front office here knew that. Like they knew they had to work out Daniel's deal first just because like kind of completely changed the thing for me. Like it would be hard to get me to sign a deal, I think, before they had the quarterback situation figured out. So they knew like Daniel was the first. deal that they were always working towards. And that's what made things interesting, I think, because I think they planned on getting a deal

done and then franchise tagging me, but they weren't close to getting anything done with Daniel and his team, I think. So they had to, you know, they got to keep the quarterback like that. That was like. No question. And even for my purpose, too, like, I needed to see them keep the quarterback. So then they went and tagged Daniel, which kind of, then I think changed the little. little bit of their strategy and stuff. And then there was like a day or two period there where I was

like, oh, wow, like, because we were thinking we were going to get tagged and not go to free agency. So then it was like, oh, this is like real. And then I think then I actually started thinking about going to other teams. And I think once I actually like started thinking about that, I was like, I don't, I'm trying to stay in indie. You know, like I think it may really, like once you actually start to think about like, you know, do I go to this team and play here and whatnot? And I was like, man, like, I think it really opened my eyes and I'd be like, I want to be an indie. I'm really tight with a bunch of guys on the team here. I believe in what we're building.

And yeah, and then, you know, once they got that extension done with Daniel, too, that was huge. Just knowing that he was, he was secure. Because I think that tag, I was little confused about that tag they put on them. I didn't really know what it was. And from, like, what I had, like, read about it, it sounded like another team could just come and, like, take them if they offered a better deal. So I was worried for a second there. I was like, man, is he going to get like coached, you know? And then like, so.

That would be a problem. Yeah. Yeah. What kind of leader is DJ before I let you go? Because I felt like in New York, we didn't get to see him as comfortable as he was last year. You know, he was a good player in New York, but he was definitely at his most comfortable with you guys. Who is he in the locker room and what kind of a guy is he leading you guys as an offense? Yeah.

I think his leadership style, like he is just the prototypical, like does everything right. You know, like I'm pulling the facility every morning and his car is there. And then you leave the facility at pretty much, like during the season, I don't think you can, I don't even want to know what hour you got to get here to not see his car in the parking lot. You know, like it's, he's just, he's here all the time. He's constantly working. And then he's really big on the team. You know, he's trying to do stuff with the guys.

like the OTA's opportunity to, you know, connect with guys. Like, we have the, you know how it works. It's kind of half days. And you're free in the afternoon. So getting guys together, like, go out to eat or, like, play, obviously golf has been on the back burner a little bit. I hear that's a big thing for you, too, huh? But golf?

Yeah. Yeah, I know. It's been driving me crazy. I haven't been able to. How's your game? I'm all right. We won the, the NFLPA, like, golf tournament, like, two years ago. Yeah, it's like a, it's like a,

scramble and it was a sauce gardener josh wiley and des ridder so a couple of our cinty teammates and it was a great time man it's that's awesome it was we got kind of lucky you know it's a scramble you just got to make some stuff like that but yeah okay all right all right well alec i really appreciate you uh you joining us man and best of luck this year i can't wait to see that offense rolling again thanks for having me yeah yeah of course and congrats on the bag dude appreciate bro