There were some who believed it from the start. But for most, it was a surprise that Daniel Jones beat out former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson for the QB1 job with the Indianapolis Colts in 2025. The real surprise, though, was Jones’ hot streak in the first half of the season.
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Over the first two months of the 2025 campaign, the Colts looked like the best team in football. They started 8-2, and with many of the usual suspects not looking great, there was a real shot that Indianapolis could take the AFC.
Jonathan Taylor looked like an MVP, but Jones definitely had a lot to do with his success. Then, the quarterback started picking up injuries, and in the end, he missed the final month of the season. From that point, when they were 8-2, Indianapolis lost seven straight games to finish the season 8-9. And now Indy has a big decision to make.
Will the Colts bring this rejuvenated version of Danny Dimes back in 2026 and beyond?
Jones signed just a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts last season. That means he’s going to be up for free agency in March, and he’s more than likely going to get a deal from a QB-needy team that pays him at least twice what the Colts did in 2025.
Jones, Colts far apart on contract negotiations
According to The Athletic‘s Colts beat writer Stephen Holder, the most recent contract negotiations between Jones and the Colts showed a pretty large chasm between the two sides. The same goes for breakout wideout Alec Pierce, for what it’s worth.
Holder said that Pierce’s value is skyrocketing on the market right now. However, according to him, the franchise tag and transition tag are very much in play for general manager Chris Ballard. Holder suggested the GM could use those two tags on Jones and Pierce, respectively.
Would that really be worth it? If Ballard hits Jones with a franchise tag, he’ll have to pay the QB over $47 million in 2026.
That’s way more than what Jones is likely to get on a long-term deal in free agency. It is also likely a lot higher than what Jones and his team are asking for at the negotiating table right now.
If the Colts can get Jones to sign a Baker Mayfield-type three-year, $100 million deal, that would give them options. Short-term, a little bit lower salary.
That will also give Jones a massive pay bump. That will also hand Indy some flexibility if Jones reverts to his New York Giants form and that early run in 2025 turns out to be a fluke. If not, they have a franchise QB at a massive discount for a couple of years.
