Daniel Jones is making headlines once again with a blockbuster contract, marking the second time in his NFL career that he's landed a major deal in free agency. Despite a promising 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts being cut short by a torn Achilles against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones' performance was nothing short of impressive. He wrapped up the year with 3,101 passing yards, 164 rushing yards, and 24 total touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.
The Colts, clearly valuing Jones' contributions, slapped the transition tag on him after failing to secure a long-term agreement last week. This move silenced the naysayers who thought the team might part ways with him.
On Wednesday morning, the Colts doubled down on their commitment by finalizing a two-year, $88 million contract, which could balloon to $100 million with incentives. Notably, Jones will pocket over $60 million guaranteed, even as he recovers from his injury.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport highlighted that this is now the largest two-year deal in NFL history.
Jones' journey has been a rollercoaster. Back in 2023, the New York Giants inked him to a four-year, $160 million extension. While that contract didn't pan out as expected for the Giants, Jones still secured $82 million in guaranteed money.
The Colts have been active this week, making strategic moves to bolster their roster. They locked in wide receiver Alec Pierce with a four-year, $116 million deal and traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a swap of late-round draft picks.
Additionally, they had their sights set on former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. However, their plans were thwarted when the Baltimore Ravens pulled out of a trade for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby.
With Jones now secured, the Colts can pivot their attention to strengthening their defense, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing season ahead.