Daniel Jones’ 2025 season was shaping up to be a comeback story - until it wasn’t.
After earning the starting job in Indianapolis and putting together an impressive first half of the year, Jones had the Colts looking like a legitimate contender in the AFC. His command of the offense, sharp decision-making, and dual-threat ability gave Indy a real spark. But the second half of the season told a different story, one marred by injuries that now cast a shadow over his future.
It started with a fractured fibula - a tough blow for any quarterback, but especially one like Jones who relies on his legs to extend plays and pick up chunk yardage. That injury clearly limited his mobility, and the drop in production followed. Then came the real gut punch: a torn Achilles in early December, an injury that’s almost certain to sideline him for a significant portion of the 2026 season.
Now, the Colts are facing a major decision. Jones is set to hit free agency, and with his injury history - which already includes a torn ACL - Indianapolis has to weigh whether he’s worth a long-term investment.
The talent is there. The durability?
That’s the question.
NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe recently weighed in on Jones’ situation during an episode of Nightcap, and he didn’t sugarcoat his concerns.
“I think the fibula will be fine. The question is that Achilles,” Sharpe said, pointing out the severity of the injury and how it could impact Jones’ game going forward.
Co-host Chad Johnson brought up Aaron Rodgers’ return from an Achilles tear, but Sharpe was quick to note the difference in playing styles. Rodgers, while mobile, has never been the type of athlete Jones is. Jones brings legit speed - we're talking 4.5-range 40-yard dash - and that kind of explosiveness is harder to recover when the Achilles is compromised.
“Rodgers didn’t have this kind of speed,” Sharpe said. “This kid can run.
This kid is a legit 4.5. … Probably next year won’t be the best version.
It will probably be the following year before we see the best version of Daniel Jones.”
That timeline is important. If 2026 is more about rehab and ramp-up than peak performance, any team signing Jones this offseason - whether it’s the Colts or someone else - will have to be playing the long game.
Still, the numbers from this season are nothing to scoff at. In 13 starts, Jones threw for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, completing 68 percent of his passes with a 100.2 passer rating. He added 164 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, showing the kind of versatility that made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of Duke.
Jones’ journey has been anything but smooth. After three seasons at Duke, he was taken sixth overall by the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft.
His time in New York was a rollercoaster - flashes of brilliance mixed with inconsistency and, again, injuries. He was released late in the 2024 season and had a brief stint with the Vikings before landing in Indianapolis on a one-year deal.
Beating out Anthony Richardson for the starting job in Indy was no small feat. Jones earned that spot, and for a while, it looked like he might finally be turning the corner in his career. Now, everything hinges on his recovery and whether he can return to form - not just physically, but as the dynamic playmaker we saw earlier this year.
The Colts have a decision to make this spring. Do they roll the dice on a quarterback with proven upside but significant injury baggage? Or do they pivot in another direction?
One thing’s for sure: if Jones can get back to full strength, he still has the tools to be a difference-maker in this league. But it may take more patience - and more time - than teams are usually willing to give.