Colts Face Big Decision on Daniel Jones’ Future After Season-Ending Injury
The Indianapolis Colts are staring down a tough offseason decision-and it all revolves around quarterback Daniel Jones, who saw his breakout campaign cut short by a torn Achilles on Dec. 7. Now, with his future uncertain and a lengthy rehab ahead, the question isn’t just when Jones will be back on the field-it’s whether the Colts will keep him around long enough to find out.
Colts Could Keep Jones in 2026-Even Without a Snap in 2025
Despite the injury, the Colts aren’t ruling out the idea of retaining Jones beyond next season. According to league insider Jeremy Fowler, Indianapolis could use the franchise or transition tag to hold onto the 28-year-old quarterback in 2026. That move would carry a hefty price tag-somewhere in the range of $39 million to $46 million-but it’s not off the table.
That’s a big number for a quarterback who may not be ready to suit up by Week 1 of the 2026 season. But it also speaks volumes about how much Jones has meant to this team in a short span.
From “Prove-It” Deal to Franchise Cornerstone?
Jones arrived in Indy on a one-year “prove-it” deal this past offseason, battling Anthony Richardson Sr. for the starting job in training camp. Not only did Jones win the job-he ran with it. Before the Achilles injury, he had the Colts sitting at 7-1 and looking like one of the surprise contenders in the AFC.
He wasn’t just managing games-he was producing. Even while playing through a reported fibula fracture, Jones ranked ninth in the league in adjusted QBR (64.1), eighth in passer rating (100.2), and seventh in passing yards (3,101) through Week 14. He tossed 19 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, showing command, poise, and a real connection with his offense.
That kind of production is hard to find-and even harder to replace.
Colts Short on QB Options, Call on a Familiar Face
With Jones sidelined and no clear long-term solution behind him, the Colts turned to an unexpected source for quarterback help: 44-year-old Philip Rivers. Yes, that Philip Rivers, who last played for the Colts in 2020 and had since settled into retirement. It’s a move that underscores just how thin the quarterback room is in Indy right now.
And while Jones has been loosely linked to the Vikings-he had a brief stint there at the end of the 2024 season-there’s no indication Minnesota is ready to make a move. They’re still evaluating what they have in second-year QB J.J. McCarthy.
What’s Next?
The Colts aren’t in a rush to make a decision. Per Fowler, the team wants to see how Jones progresses in his rehab before committing to any long-term plans. That timeline makes sense-an Achilles injury is no small thing, and the team will want to know what kind of player they’d be investing in before putting a tag worth $40-plus million on him.
Still, there’s no denying Jones has made a serious impression in Indy. According to reports, coaches and teammates are fully behind him. He’s been the most stable and effective quarterback the franchise has had since Andrew Luck hung up his cleats.
So now the Colts are left with a high-stakes question: Do they bet big on a quarterback who’s shown he can lead this team-but may not be physically ready to do it again for another year?
The clock is ticking, and the decision may define the Colts’ future for years to come.