The future of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones remains a significant question mark as he recovers from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. While the surgery itself was successful, reports suggest that Jones may not be with the Colts next season.
Jones is currently operating on a one-year contract and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent. According to insights from CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, while the Colts could theoretically utilize the franchise tag on him, a move that would cost approximately $40 million, there’s also a tangible possibility that he could sign with another NFL franchise.
Potential Landing Spots and Past Journeys
One team that has been mentioned as a potential destination for Jones is the Minnesota Vikings. This connection stems from Jones’ decision to sign with the Vikings’ practice squad after being released by the New York Giants last season. Since his departure from the Giants, Minnesota has struggled with inconsistent quarterback play, making Jones a potentially intriguing option.
Jonathan Jones has emphasized that there is no guarantee of Daniel Jones returning to Indianapolis on a new contract for the upcoming season. This uncertainty adds another layer to the narrative surrounding the 28-year-old quarterback.
A Look Back at Daniel Jones’ Career Trajectory
Daniel Jones’ NFL journey began when he was selected by the New York Giants as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Hailing from Duke University, he completed the initial four-year, $25.66 million rookie contract, which included a substantial $16.68 million signing bonus.
Entering the 2022 season, the Giants opted not to exercise the fifth-year option on his contract. After playing out his rookie deal, Jones inked a significant four-year, $160 million extension with the Giants in 2023. However, his tenure with the team took a turn in 2024 when he was benched. Following his release by the Giants, he was subsequently added to the Vikings’ practice squad. He then signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Colts for the 2025 season, a deal that has now been impacted by his Achilles injury.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Daniel Jones participated in 13 games for the Colts. He demonstrated a solid performance, completing 68 percent of his passes for a total of 3,101 yards. He also threw for 19 touchdowns, though he was intercepted eight times. His contributions were a key part of the Colts’ offensive efforts before his season was cut short by injury.